S. Vincent Anthony
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Incident
Deputy Yahl was shot and killed after he and several deputies responded to the scene of a robbery in progress at a local armored car company. A gun battle ensued, and after firing had stopped, Deputy Yahl approached the suspect's vehicle when suddenly the gunmen raised up from the front seat and fatally wounded him. Return fire from deputies on the scene resulted in the death of one of the suspects, the other was wounded and is serving a life sentence.
Survivors
Deputy Yahl had been with the agency for two and half years and is survived by his wife and two daughters.
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 Yahl gave the Lee County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Myers community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Yahl.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lee County Sheriff's Office has lost 10 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Michael is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Michael is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1976, 1 officer at Lee County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1976, 8 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1976, 137 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1976, 162 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Michael was 24. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Lee County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 24 and 31; the middle age was 28. Michael had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 3 years.
Michael was 24. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Michael had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Michael was 24. 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. Michael had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 24. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 40% of these deaths at Lee County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Saturdays: 40%.
March holds 8.2% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Saturdays: 20.1%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 10 deaths at Lee County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20% 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, in 23.7% 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, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Lee County Sheriff's Office has 10 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
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Richard Keith Eva
Feb 12, 1972
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Michael David Yahl
Mar 13, 1976
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Dwight Lynn Hall
Apr 11, 1979
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Ronald Lee Fewell
Mar 16, 1983
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Alfredo Banos
Jan 20, 2001
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Michael Shostak
Nov 8, 2001
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Patrick Joseph Healey
May 13, 2004
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Margena Silvia Nunez
Oct 22, 2006
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Steven William Mazzotta
Aug 16, 2021
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William Nelson Diaz
Aug 31, 2021
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 56-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Lee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
