Fallen Florida Sheriff's Deputy Laid to Rest

Sept. 29, 2015
About 2,000 people filled the Raider Arena at Northwest Florida State College on Monday to honor Okaloosa County Deputy Bill Myers.

Thousands gathered Monday to mourn the loss of a Okaloosa County Sheriff's deputy who was fatally shot by a suspect last week.

About 2,000 people filled the Raider Arena at Northwest Florida State College to honor the life of Deputy Bill Myers, according to Northwest Florida Daily News.

Following the deputy's death on Sept. 22, officials said that department's world had been "flipped upside down." During the memorial, Rev. Ray Angerman, a longtime friend of Myers, said the service would attempt to find a way to "flip it right side up again."

Myers was shot and killed while serving a domestic violence injunction at a local attorney's office on in Shalimar.

Sheriff Larry Ashley said during the service that Myers loved his community and was a friend to many people.

"Bill loved helping people, whether it was fixing a bike or giving a stern talking-to," he said. "He didn’t get a plaque for those. . . . When his fellow man called, Bill said, 'Here am I.' "

At one point during the service, the sound of a dispatcher calling over a radio filled the arena. "Unit 344?" a voice is heard asking several times, referring to Myers’ badge number. After hearing no response, the radio went silent, and then the voice spoke one last time. "Deputy Bill Myers, 10-7. End of watch Sept. 22, 2015. Rest in peace, brother. We’ve got the watch from here."

Myers spent more than 20 years with the U.S. Air Force more than 20 years with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

The memorial service closed with a 21-gun salute, the presentation of a flag to Myers' family, and the playing of "Taps."

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