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Incident
Special Deputy Sheriff Israel Hughes was shot and killed from ambush while returning from a still in a swamp area near Altoona.
He was ambushed as he was walking to his vehicle that he had parked a short distance away. He had just collected evidence and marked the location of the still to report it to the sheriff. Bloodhounds had traced the suspect's scent for three miles until they ran into a hornet's nest. His son, who had accompanied him, was the only witness to the shooting.
It is unknown if any arrests or convictions were ever made.
Special Deputy Sheriff Hughes was survived by his wife, and two children.
Survivors
Special Deputy Sheriff Hughes was survived by his wife, and two children.
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.
Special Deputy Sheriff Hughes gave the Lake County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tavares community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Deputy Sheriff Hughes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lake County Sheriff's Office has lost 10 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Israel is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
Israel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Israel 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 1925, 4 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1925, 208 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1925, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Israel was 49. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Israel had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Israel was 49. 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. Israel had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Israel was 49. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Israel had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 10.1% of these deaths in FL, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 11.2%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 40% of all 10 deaths at Lake County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% 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
Lake County Sheriff's Office has 10 officers remembered here, Israel among them.
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Bob C. Wilcox Jul 4, 1919
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Israel Shepard Hughes
Apr 1, 1925
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Arthur Eidson Limerick, Jr. Dec 11, 1936
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Jean Estelle Daugharty
Jan 24, 1993
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William James Marie
Mar 19, 1994
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Wayne J. Koester
Feb 9, 2005
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Christopher Cooper Daniels, Sr.
Oct 14, 2006
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Lynn D. Jones
Jun 24, 2020
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Richard Mark Barry
Jul 16, 2020
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Bradley Michael Link
Aug 3, 2024
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Lake County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
