A long-time civilian employee of the Polk County Sheriff’s office was killed by her husband early on Sunday morning, Plant City police said.
Beatrice Ann Dickey, (Bea), 44, was battered by her husband, 44-year-old Lawrence W. Dickey, of Plant City, and suffered blunt force trauma to her upper body, investigators said.
Police arrived at the couple’s home in Paddock Drive, Plant City just after 12:45 a.m. on Sunday, where they found Bea in a bedroom, unresponsive. Plant City Fire Rescue responded to the location, administered medical aid and airlifted Bea to Tampa General Hospital. Bea Dickey later died as a result of her injuries, police said.
Investigators said, shortly after the incident, Lawrence Dickey turned himself into the Plant City Policy Department, where he was arrested and charged with first degree murder.
Lawrence Dickey was booked into the Orient Road Jail.
Bea Dickey was the Executive Director of the Office of Business Affairs for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Bea was appointed as Executive Director of Business Affairs in January 2005. She was the highest ranking civilian member at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the third highest ranking executive staff member, after Sheriff Grady Judd and Chief of Staff Steve Lester. She is survived by her mother, two sons, a step-daughter and a step-son.
“Bea was an incredibly special person to all of us at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office—she was not just our colleague, she was our dear friend,” said Sheriff Grady Judd. “Our Sheriff’s Office family is hurting—this is a tremendous loss. In the most difficult of times, the best of friends come together to love and support each other.”
The investigation is ongoing.
