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Margaret E. Park
Incident
Wildlife Officer Margaret Park was shot and killed with her own service weapon when seizing an illegal weapon from a suspect on Keystone Road in Pinellas County. Officer Park had just finished citing a poacher when she heard gunshots coming from an undeveloped subdivision. Officer Park located a pair of men and located a handgun in their van. One of the suspects asked her not to arrest him because he was on probation for grand theft and breaking and entering. As Officer Park reached into her truck to radio dispatch, the suspect grabbed her flashlight and started hitting her on the head. Officer Park was able to call for help on the radio and fired a single shot from her weapon, grazing the second suspect, who then held her down. The first suspect then gained control of her service weapon and shot her in the back of the head as the second suspect held her down. The two fled the scene but were arrested a short time later. When caught, the first suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. His co-defendant, a juvenile, was convicted of third-degree murder and sentenced to seven years in prison but served only two years and ten months before being released. The shooter was executed on February 16, 2010. Officer Park had served with the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission for two years.
Survivors
She was survived by her parents.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Wildlife Officer Park gave the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tallahassee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Wildlife Officer Park.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission has lost 15 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Margaret is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Margaret is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Margaret is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1984, 1 officer at Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1984, 7 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1984, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1984, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Margaret was 26. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 49; the middle age was 31. Margaret had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Margaret was 26. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Margaret had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Margaret was 26. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Margaret had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Margaret was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Margaret had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 40% of these deaths at Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission; November holds the most, 40%. Thursdays: 20%.
December holds 9.3% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 15 deaths at Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 10.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Her people
Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission has 15 officers remembered here, Margaret among them.
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Samuel S. Pinney
Mar 12, 1927
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Robert B. Bell
Sep 19, 1942
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George T. Sharp Dec 21, 1946
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James R. Fields
Dec 24, 1950
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Johnny Ingram Nov 25, 1951
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Noah Therman Smith
Nov 30, 1954
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Joel Lathem Harper Aug 12, 1962
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Marvin John Albritton
Aug 18, 1966
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James G. Thompson
Jun 25, 1968
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Leon Walker
Aug 13, 1970
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Harry Charles Chapin
Nov 5, 1972
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Jimmy Lee Cook
Dec 8, 1972
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Danese Byron Crowder
May 3, 1974
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Margaret E. Park
Dec 13, 1984
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Ray Lynn Barnes
Nov 21, 1987
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission are honored on badge.nw.
