Prev
Incident
Debra Lucinda Clayton grew up in Central Florida. She earned a bachelor's degree in public administration from the University of Central Florida in 1998 and a master's degree in criminal justice in 2002. She joined the Orlando Police Department in 1999.
Over seventeen years she served in investigations, as a school resource officer and on patrol, and in 2016 she was promoted to master sergeant, supervising patrol officers. That year she responded to the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub. Off duty she gave her time to the city's young people through the Dueling Dragons youth rowing program, the Parramore Kidz Zone and the Urban League's anti-violence task force.
On the morning of 9 January 2017 a citizen told her that a man wanted for the murder of his pregnant former girlfriend was at the Walmart on Princeton Street. At 7:17 a.m. she radioed that she was making contact. In the parking lot the man opened fire and struck her several times. She returned fire before she fell, and she died shortly afterwards at Orlando Regional Medical Center. She was 42. The man was captured eight days later and was later sentenced to death.
Chief John Mina posthumously promoted her to lieutenant. She was survived by her husband, Seth, whom she had married the year before, and her son, Johnny. After her funeral at First Baptist Orlando she was entombed at Woodlawn Cemetery in Gotha. In August 2017 the stretch of Silver Star Road between Princeton Street and John Young Parkway was named the Lieutenant Debra Clayton Memorial Highway.
Survivors
She is survived by her husband and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnxs5yrt4mz0dx5fv4aa- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Debra. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Lieutenant Clayton gave the Orlando Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Orlando community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Clayton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Orlando Police Department has lost 16 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Debra is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Debra is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Debra is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2017, 1 officer at Orlando Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2017, 3 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 2017, 59 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2017, 64 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 125th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Debra was 42. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Orlando Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36.5. Debra had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Debra was 42. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Debra had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Debra was 42. 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. Debra had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Debra was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Debra had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 40% of these deaths at Orlando Police Department, more than any other month. Mondays: 20%.
January holds 9.7% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Mondays: 10.6%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 62.5% of all 16 deaths at Orlando Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was 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 handgun, in 19% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Her people
Orlando Police Department has 16 officers remembered here, Debra among them.
-
James W. Williams
Jan 1, 1876
-
William Beasley Jan 1, 1885
-
Egbert C. Moore
Aug 6, 1933
-
Edward Tullis Winn, Jr.
Sep 13, 1935
-
Harry Grassman Mason Feb 20, 1937
-
John E. Owen
Aug 4, 1962
-
Sidney Crenshaw
Nov 22, 1966
-
Mitchell L. Nutter
Feb 10, 1968
-
Terry N. Thuma
Jan 9, 1990
-
Michael Wayne Burson Sr.
Jun 23, 1990
-
Robert Joseph Montgomery
Nov 10, 1998
-
George Stefan DeSalvia
Feb 3, 2000
-
Tanja Brigitte King
May 18, 2000
-
Alfred L. Gordon, Sr.
Oct 4, 2007
-
Debra Lucinda Clayton
Jan 9, 2017
-
Kevin Andres Valencia
Mar 15, 2021
Where
Laid to Rest
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
15 officers from Orlando Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
