Incident
Chief Deputy Bob Wilcox was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest a man who had escaped from jail after having been arrested for assaulting his sister-in-law near Lacoochee, Florida.
He and the county sheriff learned the suspect was hiding in the swamps approximately 12 miles south of Clermont. The man opened fire on them as they searched for him and Chief Deputy Wilcox was killed.
The 31-year-old suspect was apprehended three months later in Polk County. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to four years. On August 19, 1921, he escaped from a state work camp in Holmes County. Two months later he was shot and killed while resisting arrest near Clermont.
Chief Deputy Wilcox was survived by his wife and four children.
Survivors
Chief Deputy Wilcox was survived by his wife and four children.
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.
Chief Deputy Wilcox gave the Lake County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tavares community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Deputy Wilcox.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lake County Sheriff's Office has lost 10 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Bob is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.2% of the 1,007 remembered there.
Bob is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Bob is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1919, 3 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Bob was 60. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Bob had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Bob was 60. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Bob had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bob was 60. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Bob had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 8.4% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Fridays: 13.2%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 40% of all 10 deaths at Lake County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.2% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 6.7% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Lake County Sheriff's Office has 10 officers remembered here, Bob among them.
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Bob C. Wilcox Jul 4, 1919
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Israel Shepard Hughes
Apr 1, 1925
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Arthur Eidson Limerick, Jr. Dec 11, 1936
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Jean Estelle Daugharty
Jan 24, 1993
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William James Marie
Mar 19, 1994
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Wayne J. Koester
Feb 9, 2005
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Christopher Cooper Daniels, Sr.
Oct 14, 2006
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Lynn D. Jones
Jun 24, 2020
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Richard Mark Barry
Jul 16, 2020
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Bradley Michael Link
Aug 3, 2024
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Lake County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.







