Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Earl Dyess was stabbed to death while investigating the sound of gunfire in an alley behind his home at 547 East Sagamore Avenue in Clewiston. As he confronted two teenagers, he demanded one of them give him his .22 caliber pistol. As a struggle began for possession of the weapon, the 18-year-old's 15-year-old stepbrother stabbed him in the heart. Both boys were apprehended the next day. The 15-year-old, who was tried as an adult, was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 137 years. He died in prison in 2021. His stepbrother, charged with manslaughter, had his case dismissed in 1981. Sheriff Dyess had served with the Hendry County Sheriff's Office for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-9E250D00- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Dyess gave the Hendry County Sheriff's Office 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the LaBelle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Dyess.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Earl Sermon Dyess, Sr. 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 Hendry County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Earl Sermon Dyess, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Earl Sermon Dyess, Sr. Compares
Offender Outcome
shots fired call
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Earl Sermon Dyess, Sr. is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Earl Sermon Dyess, Sr. was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Hendry County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
