Brevard County Sheriff Jack Parker identified Deputy Sheriff Barbara Pill as the officer who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday morning.
Speaking at a press conference Sheriff Parker showered praise on D/S Pill, describing the 30-year law enforcement veteran as “one of the finest deputy sheriff’s around.”
D/S Pill, who was died after being shot in the face as she attempted to apprehend a suspected thief on John Rodes Boulevard in Melbourne, had worked for 15 years with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office in a variety of capacities, the last 10 years as a deputy sheriff.
“She was always engaged, always doing things and always the first one on the scene,” said Sheriff Parker. “D/S Pill was one of the kindest, nicest people you could meet… a fantastic deputy sheriff.”
D/S Pill came from a family of law enforcement, with two sons currently serving in law enforcement officers and a daughter-in-law, who works as a crime scene agent for the BCSO.
“Her passing is a tremendous loss to our community,” said Sheriff Parker.
Sheriff Parker described D/S Pill as a behind the scenes person, who made a true difference in the community and who always worked to make the community better.
“She was never one to stray away from danger… she was courageous,” he added.
“The most important thing we have to talk about at this time is Barbara,” said a stoic Sheriff Parker.
Parker was shot in the face after initiating a traffic stop on a couple suspected of stealing furniture from a motel. The two suspects, Brandon Lee Bradley, 22 and a 19-year-old woman have been arrested. Bradley refused to obey D/S Pill’s commands to get out of the car and instead, opened fire, killing her.
Our family wish to send our heartfelt sypomthies to Deputy Barbara Pill to her family. What they did to this lovely lady was beyond comprehension to us, We have made our share of bad judgements with the law but we have NEVER EVER blamed anyone but ourselves. We can only hope these 2 individules who did this ungodly act, recieve the justice they deserve. We have a son in the u.s. army stationed in afghanistan so we do understand the loss this family and fellow law enforcement feel. we can only pray for a healing that would make this wife, mother, grandmother, and deputy sherrif proud. And from what we have heard about her I am sure she is now an angel and watching over her family. God Bless.