Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Luther Howard suffered a fatal heart attack while struggling with a man he and two other officers were attempting to arrest for domestic violence.
He collapsed when he was thrown against a wall during the struggle inside the Seminole Apartments on East Central Avenue. The other officers subdued the man then carried Sergeant Howard to their patrol cars and called for an ambulance. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The man they were arresting was charged with two counts of assault with intent to murder and threats to kill for the assaults against his wife and children. He was also charged with resisting arrest and use of force and violence against an officer.
Sergeant Howard was a U.S. Army veteran of both WWI and WWII. He had served with the Winter Haven Police Department for 13 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, three sons, seven grandchildren, and a brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-E2DC8374- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sergeant Howard gave the Winter Haven Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Winter Haven community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Luther Thomas Howard served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sergeant Luther Thomas Howard 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 Winter Haven Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Luther Thomas Howard's cause is highlighted.
How Luther Thomas Howard Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Luther Thomas Howard is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Winter Haven Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
