Incident
Correctional Officer Paul Jordan suffered a fatal heart attack after shooting at escaping prisoners at the Reception and Medical Center in Lake Butler, Florida. Two inmates were observed climbing over one of the perimeter fences by Officer Jordan and an officer in a second guard tower. One of the officers fired at the inmates with a shotgun, killing one of them. The second inmate surrendered. The inmate who was killed had been serving a life sentence for robbery. Officer Jordan was found in his watchtower unresponsive after the incident. Officer Jordan was assigned to the Reception and Medical Center.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Correctional Officer Jordan served with the Florida Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Florida. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Jordan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Florida Department of Corrections has lost 33 officers; 6 of them lost to cardiac events.
Paul is one of 62 officers lost to cardiac events in FL, 6.2% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Paul is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Paul is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1976, 1 officer at Florida Department of Corrections was lost to cardiac events, more than in any other year.
In 1976, 1 officer in FL was lost to cardiac events, the 17th heaviest of 39 years on record. The heaviest was 2017, with 4.
In 1976, 12 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 49th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1976, 12 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 49th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Paul was 62. Of the 6 lost to cardiac events at Florida Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 40 and 50.5; the middle age was 44.5.
Paul was 62. Of the 61 lost to cardiac events in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 49.
Paul was 62. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48.
Paul was 62. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48.
When
January holds 33.3% of these deaths at Florida Department of Corrections, more than any other month. Saturdays: 33.3%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths in FL; May holds the most, 19.4%. Saturdays: 11.3%.
January holds 9.6% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 14.3%.
January holds 9.5% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 14.4%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 18.2% of all 33 deaths at Florida Department of Corrections, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 6.2% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 12.9% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16.1% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16% of these deaths.
His people
Florida Department of Corrections has 33 officers remembered here, Paul among them.
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James G. Godwin
Apr 4, 1955
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Howard Daniel Starling
Jul 4, 1964
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Lester B. Sumner
Apr 26, 1965
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James W. Parr, Sr.
Aug 11, 1966
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Paul Jordan
Jan 24, 1976
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Lauriston F. Hustus, Jr.
Jul 16, 1980
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Richard James Burke
Oct 12, 1980
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Bjorn Thomas Svenson
Aug 31, 1982
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Donald L. Pawlizak Apr 21, 1983
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John S. Dennard
May 5, 1983
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Michael Peter Serano
Jan 6, 1984
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Fred Sidney Griffis
Jun 24, 1987
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Hoyt L. Ergle
Dec 15, 1987
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Charles Andrew Cooper
Sep 15, 1988
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Kenneth M. Hendrick
Jan 28, 1993
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Lee Charles Dunn
Jan 24, 2000
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Darla Kay Lathrem
Jun 11, 2003
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Donna Fitzgerald
Jun 25, 2008
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Adam Michael Sanderson
Mar 6, 2009
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Gregory Guy Malloy
Feb 2, 2011
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Ruben Howard Thomas, III
Mar 18, 2012
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Jorge Ramos
May 1, 2016
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Joseph Ossman
Sep 10, 2017
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Tawanna V. Marin
Jun 18, 2018
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Nicklaus Dustin Knight May 12, 2019
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Robert Wayne Rogers
Jul 31, 2020
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Jack Sale Stewart
Feb 13, 2021
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William Scott Fox
Mar 4, 2021
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John Annarumma
Mar 6, 2021
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Derek Stewart
Apr 28, 2021
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Whitney Nicole Cloud
Aug 28, 2021
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Kelly Jo Klimkowski
Sep 28, 2021
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James Alexander Jackson
Aug 15, 2025
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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