Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Edward Matthews was shot and killed near Palmetto as he attempted to apprehend a murder suspect.
The man was wanted for killing his employer over a dispute about wages. Bloodhounds led Deputy Matthews and his posse to a home, which they were attempting to surround when gunfire erupted from the windows. In the ensuing shootout, Deputy Matthews was killed instantly and two other deputies were seriously wounded.
The suspect, along with two other men, fled from the house and escaped. Later that night and the next day an angry mob of several hundred citizens tracked down and lynched all three suspects.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-6BF9CF16- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Matthews served with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Bradenton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Matthews.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Edward Matthews is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Manatee County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Edward Matthews's cause is highlighted.
How Edward Matthews Compares
Offender Outcome
Lynched
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edward Matthews is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward Matthews was killed by rifle; winchester.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Manatee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
