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Incident
Sheriff Read was met with a shotgun blast as he stepped out of his car at a rural residence eight miles north of Bell. He went there to investigate a complaint from neighbors who said the 60 year-old home owner was drunk and terrorizing people with a gun. Sheriff Read was able to call for help and drove away from the home. A short distance away he was found by a local citizen after he drove into a ditch. He died at the hospital several hours later. The suspect was taken into custody by Florida State Troopers at his home. He was convicted of first degree murder and executed in the electric chair June 1, 1959.
Survivors
Sheriff Read was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Read served with the Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Trenton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Read.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Gilchrist County Sheriff's Department has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Mark is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Mark is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Mark 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 1956, 1 officer in FL was killed feloniously, the 114th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1956, 47 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 141st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1956, 53 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
December holds 9.3% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Sundays: 15.9%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Gilchrist County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 9% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Gilchrist County Sheriff's Department has 4 officers remembered here, Mark among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Gilchrist County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
