Early on Thursday morning, the victims of the 1984 Orange County Courthouse shooting were remembered in a flag raising and wreath presentation on the steps of the Orange County Courthouse.
Twenty-nine years ago today, Bailiff William “Arnie” Wilkerson was shot and killed by Thomas Provenzano who was scheduled for a disorderly conduct hearing at the Orange County Court house. Heavily armed, Provenzano managed to smuggle his concealed weapons past the small civilian security force at the entryway.
In addition to fatally shooting Bailiff Wilkerson, Bailiff Harry Dalton and Orange County Corrections Officer Mark Parker were critically injured during Provenzano’s attack. Harry Dalton passed away in 1991 from complications relating to the injuries he sustained in the shooting. Mark Parker, who was paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair for the remainder of his life, passed away on March 19th, 2009.
Provenzano, who was also shot during the gunfight, survived his wound. After being found guilty, he was sentenced to death and executed on June 21, 2000.
On Thursday, law enforcement and correction officers paid tribute to Bailiff Arne Wilkerson, Bailiff Harry Dalton, and Corrections Officer Mark Parker during the 29th Annual Remembrance Ceremony.
