Incident
Deputy Sheriff Joshua Blyler was killed in an automobile crash while responding to a 911 call at about 3:20 am.
Deputy Blyler had been dispatched to a theft at a convenience store but was diverted to a 911 hang-up call. He was driving his marked patrol car in a non-emergency mode when he lost control and struck a mailbox on Palm Valley Road just west of Bear Pen Road. He went into a drainage ditch, began to overturn, and struck a tree and power pole.
A team from St. John's County Fire Rescue witnessed the crash and worked to save Deputy Blyler, using the jaws of life to free him from the wreckage. Deputy Blyler was flown to Shands Jacksonville Hospital where he died shortly after 5 a.m.
Deputy Blyler had served with the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office for 10 months.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents and brother.
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 Blyler served with the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the St. Augustine community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Blyler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
St. Johns County Sheriff's Office has lost 13 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Joshua is one of 315 officers lost to accidents in FL, 31.3% of the 1,007 remembered there.
Joshua is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joshua is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2004, 7 officers in FL were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 95 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 9.
In 2004, 72 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 43rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2004, 77 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 62nd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Joshua was 20. Of the 293 lost to accidents in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 35. Joshua had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Joshua was 20. 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. Joshua had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joshua was 20. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Joshua had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.9% of these deaths in FL; February holds the most, 10.5%. Sundays: 13.3%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 14%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 23.1% of all 13 deaths at St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 31.3% of all 1,007 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
St. Johns County Sheriff's Office has 13 officers remembered here, Joshua among them.
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Abe Schneider
Mar 5, 1911
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Guy White
Mar 5, 1911
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Perry Alonzo Turlington
Nov 4, 1927
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Lamar L. Knight, Sr.
May 7, 1933
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Frank S. Quigley
May 7, 1933
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Harold L. Hart
Apr 13, 1968
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Joseph Frederick Solano Sr.
Feb 22, 1983
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Joshua Edwin Blyler
May 2, 2004
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James Louis Anderson, Jr.
Jan 14, 2010
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Jeffery Wilson Carroll
Dec 14, 2018
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Coby B. Seckinger
Dec 14, 2020
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Jody Hull, Jr.
Aug 21, 2021
-
Michael Kunovich
May 19, 2023
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from St. Johns County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.











