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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Melissa Powers was killed in a single-vehicle automobile crash on U.S. 1 at approximately 10:30 pm.
While she was en route to locate another deputy who could not be reached by dispatchers, she swerved to avoid another car that pulled in front of her and lost control of the police cruiser on the slick roads. Her vehicle spun and hit a parked tractor-trailer leaving her pinned inside. She was transported to a local hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries a short time later. It is believed that the deputy she was attempting to locate had switched his radio to another frequency, causing him to be temporarily unreachable.
Deputy Powers had served with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office for almost four years.
Survivors
She is survived by her husband, daughter, stepson, and parents.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Deputy Sheriff Powers gave the Monroe County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Key West community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Powers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Monroe County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 5 of them lost to accidents.
Melissa is one of 314 officers lost to accidents in FL, 31.2% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Melissa is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Melissa is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2010, 1 officer at Monroe County Sheriff's Office was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 2010, 4 officers in FL were lost to accidents, the 22nd heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 9.
In 2010, 71 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 44th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2010, 79 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 60th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Melissa was 36. Of the 5 lost to accidents at Monroe County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 38; the middle age was 36. Melissa had served 3.6 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Melissa was 36. Of the 293 lost to accidents in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 35. Melissa had served 3.6 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Melissa was 36. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Melissa had served 3.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Melissa was 36. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Melissa had served 3.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 20% of these deaths at Monroe County Sheriff's Office; November holds the most, 40%. Tuesdays: 20%.
June holds 7.3% of these deaths in FL; February holds the most, 10.5%. Tuesdays: 12.4%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 83.3% of all 6 deaths at Monroe County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.2% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Her people
Monroe County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Melissa among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Monroe County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
