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Incident
Deputy Whitworth was shot and killed during a barricade situation after a suspect fled from another deputy who tried to stop him for speeding. The 25-year-old suspect fled to his nearby trailer, where he barricaded himself. He opened fire on several deputies when a tear gas bomb was fired through a window. After a three-hour gun battle, Deputy Whitworth was hit in the head with a load of buckshot as he fired another tear gas bomb into the trailer. The suspect was arrested and charged with murder. At his trial, the suspect said he was in bed asleep when a tear gas bomb came through his window. He said he opened fire because he thought the deputies were criminals trying to kill him and his family. He was acquitted. Deputy Whitworth had been with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
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
You barely got started.
Deputy Sheriff Whitworth gave the Escambia County Sheriff's Office 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Pensacola community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Whitworth.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Escambia County Sheriff's Office has lost 13 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph 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 1954, 1 officer at Escambia County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1954, 3 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1954, 76 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1954, 77 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 97th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 37. Of the 8 killed feloniously at Escambia County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 37 and 45.5; the middle age was 40.5. Joseph had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Joseph was 37. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Joseph was 37. 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. Joseph had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 20% of these deaths at Escambia County Sheriff's Office; January holds the most, 20%. Thursdays: 10%.
April holds 10.1% of these deaths in FL, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 76.9% of all 13 deaths at Escambia County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 10% 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
Escambia County Sheriff's Office has 13 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
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A. Cary Ellis
Sep 25, 1923
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Joseph Elmer Whitworth
Apr 22, 1954
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Roland E. Davis, Sr.
Sep 24, 1955
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Len Burt Adams
Jun 16, 1958
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Joseph Mallory Gassman
Jan 30, 1966
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Charles Leroy Wilkerson
Jan 19, 1974
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Morley G. Ray
Apr 7, 1978
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Floyd Douglas Heist, Sr.
May 3, 1980
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Eric Byron Streeter
Mar 13, 1984
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Donald Ray Cook
Dec 3, 1988
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Roosevelt Walker, Jr.
May 22, 1998
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George Hura, Jr.
May 4, 2004
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Jeremy H. Cassady
Jul 15, 2025
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Escambia County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
