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Incident
Sergeant Kevin Kight was shot and killed while making a traffic stop at approximately 10:30 p.m. at the intersection of Beckrich and Front Beach Roads in Panama City.
Sergeant Kight stopped the subject's car, and when he checked his driver's license, he discovered the license was invalid. As Sergeant Kight attempted to make an arrest, the suspect pulled out a handgun and opened fire, killing him.
The killer, who had violated his parole from Wisconsin, fled the scene but was apprehended nine hours later. The man was convicted of first-degree murder and resisting an officer with violence. He was sentenced to death on April 11, 2007. Due to changes in the death penalty laws, the suspect's sentencing phase was retried, and a jury recommended the death sentence again in 2024.
Sergeant Kight had served with the Panama City Beach Police Department for 6 years and had previously served with the German Township, Ohio, Police Department for 4 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and 4-year-old son.
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.
Sergeant Kight gave the Panama City Beach Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Panama City Beach community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Kight.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kevin is the only officer of Panama City Beach Police Department remembered here.
Kevin is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Kevin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Kevin 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 2005, 3 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 2005, 73 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 96th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2005, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Kevin was 34. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Kevin had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Kevin was 34. 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. Kevin had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Kevin was 34. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Kevin had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 8.2% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Sundays: 15.9%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Panama City Beach Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Panama City Beach Police Department are honored on badge.nw.