Florida Deputy Killed in Cruiser Crash Remembered

April 30, 2013
Polk County Deputy Joseph "Shane" Robbins was killed when his cruiser left the road on April 26.

Relatives and co-workers on Tuesday remembered a Polk County Sheriff's deputy who was killed in an on-duty wreck last week.

A funeral was held for Master Deputy Joseph "Shane" Robbins at First Baptist Church, according to The Ledger.

The 15-year veteran of the Polk County Sheriff's Office was known for his interviewing skills and his ability to lift his colleagues' spirits.

Robbins, 40, was killed on April 26 when he lost control of his cruiser before crashing into a large oak tree while driving to the sheriff's Winter Haven operations center to have his cruiser's computer repaired.

He was pulled from the car and transported to Winter Haven Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office is still investigating the cause of the crash.

Robbins started his career with the sheriff's office in 1998 and has worked as both a homicide detective and a Special Victims Unit detective. He was currently serving as a patrol deputy in the Northeast district of Polk County.

"We're a better community, a safer community, because Master Deputy Shane Robbins was in our lives for a season," Sheriff Grady Judd said during the service. "And now you know what a true hero is."

Robbins is survived by his wife, Alisa, and their five children.

Sponsored Recommendations

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Officer, create an account today!