Gary S. Pricher

Tampa Police Dept. — Tampa, FL

Felonious

End of Watch November 4, 1983

Age 31

The Vigil Panel 127 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 28

Incident

Sergeant Gary Pricher was struck and killed by a drunk driver while assisting stranded bus passengers on State Road 400 eight miles south of Orlando. He and five other officers were returning from a tactical response team seminar when they stopped to offer their assistance. Another vehicle swerved and struck Sergeant Pricher before fleeing the scene. The 42-year-old suspect was later apprehended and charged with manslaughter, drunk driving, and hit-and-run. During his trial in 1984 he left the court room and never returned. He was convicted in absentia of manslaughter, hit-and-run, and drunk driving. He was apprehended two years later in Sebring and sent to prison to serve a 15-year sentence.

Survivors

Sergeant Pricher was survived by his wife and two sons.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-FL-DA5DBAE2
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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Pricher served with the Tampa Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Tampa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Pricher.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Tampa Police Dept.

Location Tampa, FL

Platform Identity tpd.hillsborough.fl.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 4, 1983

Age 31

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved

Offender Sentenced to 15 years

Sergeant Gary S. Pricher 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 Tampa Police Dept., 21 of 29 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.4% of this agency's fallen.

Tampa Police Dept.

of 29 officers

72.4% Felonious

FL — Statewide

539

of 1,008 officers

53.5% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious