The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has identified the deputy who was killed in the line of duty on Monday night.
Jonathan Scott Pine, 34, was gunned down by suspect Benjamin Holtermann, when he went to investigate a car break-in at Apopka Vineland Road and Conroy Windermere, around 11:00 p.m.
It is believed that Pine was questioning Holtermann when he was shot and killed.
Holtermann then fled the scene but turned up dead near to the area of the original shooting. Investigators believe, Holtermann committed suicide.
According to reports, Holtermann’s girlfriend, Erica Pugh, 18, has been taken into custody. She has been charged with multiple burglaries.
Pine joined the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in January 2011.
Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings, who was out-of-state at the time of the deputy’s shooting, issued the following statement:
“The citizens of Orange County lost a true hero who was tragically killed patrolling the streets of our community. I ask the community for their prayers for our fallen deputy’s family which includes a wife and three small children. Thank you for your continued support as we go through these trying times together.”
Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs released this statement:
“Our hearts go out to the family of the fallen deputy, and to the entire Orange County Sheriff’s Office. We mourn the loss of this courageous deputy, who gave his life in the line of duty and in the service of Orange County’s citizens. Our full resources are at the disposal of Sheriff Demings and his department, as well as the family of the slain deputy.”
