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Debra Goodale Tison
Incident
Special Agent Debra Tison was struck and killed by a drunk driver at the intersection of Forest Hill Boulevard and Woods Bend Road at about 11:30 pm. She was with two other agents when they were rear-ended by another vehicle on Forrest Hill Boulevard in West Palm Beach. The 19-year-old driver had been cited earlier that night by the agents for underage drinking. As Agent Tison was outside the vehicle talking with the driver from the initial crash, an off-duty West Palm Beach police officer in a third vehicle hit both of them. Agent Tison was transported to a local hospital where she died. The off-duty officer had a BAC of 0.15. He was convicted of charges related to the incident and was sentenced to one year in jail, two years probation, and five years house arrest. Special Agent Tison had served with the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco for seven years. She had previously served with the Jupiter Police Department and the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Police Department. She was survived by her husband, son, two daughters, mother, and two brothers. Her husband served with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
Survivors
She was survived by her husband, son, two daughters, mother, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Special Agent Tison gave the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tallahassee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Tison.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco has lost 4 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Debra is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Debra is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Debra 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 1991, 4 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1991, 85 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 76th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1991, 98 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 65th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Debra was 38. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Debra had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Debra was 38. 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. Debra had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Debra was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Debra had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Fridays: 13.2%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 25% of all 4 deaths at Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, 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 automobile, in 7.5% 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 automobile, in 4.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 4.4% of these deaths.
Her people
Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco has 4 officers remembered here, Debra among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 38-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco are honored on badge.nw.
