Deputy James George Binnicker
Killed in the line of duty – September 29, 1893

In January of 1893, Deputy James George Binnicker began his career with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Several months later, in September 1893, Deputy James George Binnicker was guarding a prisoner named Ed Dansey. Dansey told Deputy Binnicker that he had previously buried some gold in the woods near Ocala and convinced him to let locate it and dig it up. During the ruse, Dansey was able to take Deputy Binnicker’s gun and shoot him. Dansey then escaped and fled to Wacahoota Hammock. A search party was formed and began combing the woods to find Dansey, who was eventually captured by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.

Meanwhile, Deputy Binnicker died of blood poisoning as a result of the gunshot wound on Friday, September 29, 1893. He was 29 years old at the time of his death.

Ed Dansey made a full confession to the murder while standing on the gallows and was hanged on Thursday, January 11, 1894, in a private execution in the Marion County jail yard.

Deputy William E. Hutson
Killed in the line of duty – Oct 5, 1910

On October 5th, 1910, at about 3 p.m., Deputy Charlie Smith went to the residence of Will Summerlin in Northwest Ocala. Summerlin had been arrested the day before by another Deputy for carrying a concealed weapon and had escaped from him. Deputy Smith was going to Summerlins’ house to arrest him. Deputy Smith was met at the door by Summerlin, who was in possession of a rifle. There was another unidentified male behind Summerlin with a shotgun. Deputy Smith backed off and called for backup. Deputy William E. Hutson responded and both deputies attempted to enter the house. As they entered, Summerlin opened fire hitting Hutson. Immediately, he fell backwards into the yard and Smith backed out and again summoned help. Among the first to arrive was former Sheriff and current (at that time) Ocala Police Officer Henry Gordon, he attempted to assail the house and was shot twice. More armed men arrived and began firing into the house. When the shooting was over Summerlin was found dead from a self inflicted gunshot. The other man in the house was believed to be nephew of Summerlin’s identified only as Harvey. It was later revealed that he had left the house before Hutson’s arrival and was not involved in the shooting.

William E. Hutson was 42 years old and was survived by his wife and daughter Louise age 11.

Deputy Alan Osman Warren
Killed in the line of duty – June 4, 1926

Deputy Alan Osman Warren was a motorcycle patrolman for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. On Saturday, May 29th, 1926, Deputy Warren was working Traffic Patrol on the “South Dixie Highway” (US 441) near Belleview when his motorcycle was struck by a speeding car. He was taken to Marion General Hospital, where he never regained consciousness.

Deputy Warren died on June 4th, 1926. Sheriff S.C.M. Thomas arrested four people: Russell Wyteman, W. S. Pursell, Leonard B Walker, and Miss Geneva Wilson. The vehicle, a Chrysler, was located in the possession of Leonard Walker. The vehicle had damage on the right front fender, which was consistent with the impact of the motorcycle.

Charges against the four were later dropped. At the time, Deputy Warren was survived by his wife Nellie Purchase Warren, his 12-year-old daughter, Louise, and his 5-year-old son, Clayton.

Sheriff Edward Porter Jr.
Killed in the line of duty – April 13, 1951

At 10:00 a.m., Friday, April 13, 1951, Sheriff Ed Porter was investigating a bad check case at Tomlinson’s Men’s Store. A 16-year-old juvenile, Orion Johnson, had forged a check to pay for a white coat. Sheriff Porter picked up Orion at Howard High School and was taking him out to his house to get the coat. At the house, Orion Johnson concealed an ice pick. When they got back in the Sheriff’s car, he stabbed the Sheriff repeatedly as he fumbled for his revolver. Johnson then grabbed the gun and the Sheriff fell from the car to the ground. Johnson shot the Sheriff twice as he tried to get to his feet. The Sheriff tried once again to get up and Johnson shot him again. Johnson then pulled the Sheriff’s body into the car and shot him once more. He then drove about a half a mile down the road, ran the car into a tree, and walked to a nearby house, where he called a taxi. He changed clothes at home and then went back to school.

The Sheriff’s body was discovered in his wrecked car at about 5:00 p.m. Deputies R. A. McDaniel and Doug Willis found Johnson at his grandmother’s house. A search warrant was obtained and the gun and Johnson’s bloody clothes were found in Johnson’s room. Confronted with the evidence, Johnson gave a full confession. Johnson was taken to the Alachua County Jail for his own protection. He was tried and convicted of the murder of Sheriff Ed Porter. In September of 1954, Orion Johnson was executed by electrocution at the Florida State Prison in Raiford, Florida.

Sheriff Ed Porter was 44 years old and was survived by his wife, Iva Mae, and three-year-old daughter, Anna Clair.

Deputy Robert Wooten
Killed in the line of duty – May 28, 1955

Deputy Curtis Youngblood
Killed in the line of duty – May 28, 1955

On the afternoon of May 28, 1955, Deputy Robert Wooten and Deputy Curtis Youngblood went to 615 Elizabeth Street (now NE 19th street) to speak with Edward and Bertha Lindley who were suspected of stealing kerosene from a neighbor. As the deputies approached the house, Bertha came forward carrying a shotgun, Deputy Wooten went to take the shotgun from Bertha, when Edward fired a rifle from the house, killing Deputy Wooten instantly. Before Deputy Youngblood had a chance to react, Edward fired again, killing Deputy Youngblood. Neighbors began calling the Sheriff's Office, and every available officer in the county responded. As officers arrived, Edward continued firing on them, striking Assistant Ocala Police Chief M.O. Tuck, who had taken cover behind a tree. Tuck was taken to the hospital, where he died a short time later from his injuries. Deputy W. G. Ergle was also wounded in the shootout. Eventually, tear gas was put into the house, causing the Lindleys to surrender.

The investigation revealed that Bertha Lindley never fired a shot. She was released and moved back to Indiana with her family. She died of natural causes in the 1980s. Edward Lindley never stood trial for the deaths of deputies Wooton, Youngblood, and OPD Assistant Chief Tuck. Edward was determined to be mentally incompetent and died in a state mental facility.

Deputy Robert Wooten was 56-years-old and was survived by his wife Agnes Williams Wooten, three sons, Robert L. Wooten, Thomas J. Wooten, Irvin Eugene Wooten, and one daughter, Mrs. Edward Green.

Deputy Curtis Youngblood was 39-years-old and was survived by his wife, Jonnie Long Youngblood, and his daughter, Deborah.

Deputy William Rutherford
Killed in the line of duty – January 2, 1990

On January 1, 1990, Deputy Bill Rutherford was working patrol on the afternoon shift. He made an arrest late into his shift and had to complete paperwork at the jail, which took till after midnight.

When Deputy Rutherford left the jail, he turned onto SR 200 and began driving westbound. Danny Flenor, a drunk driver, crossed into the path of Deputy Rutherford's vehicle and struck him head-on. This crash caused Deputy Rutherford's patrol car to erupt into flames, trapping him inside.

Emergency personnel worked for 30 minutes to cut Deputy Rutherford free from the burning wreckage. He transported him to Munroe Regional Medical Center, when he was later pronounced deceased. Four police officers who assisted in freeing Deputy Rutherford from the wreckage, were taken to the hospital and treated for smoke inhalation. Danny Flenor was pronounced dead at the scene. A female passenger in Danny's vehicle was taken to Munroe Regional Medical Center to receive treatment and later released.

Deputy William (Bill) Hamilton Rutherford was 23-years-old when he was killed. He was survived by his wife Rose.

Deputy Brian Litz
Killed in the line of duty – February 7, 2004

On February 7, 2004, the Marion County Sheriff's Office received a call for a well-being check on 74-year-old Ivan Gotham. His son had called stating his father, Gotham, had become increasingly unstable. K-9 Deputy Brian Litz was one of the deputies to respond to the Pine Run community to check on Gotham's well-being. When deputies arrived at the home, Gotham met them at the door with a handgun, and deputies retreated.  K-9 Deputy Litz attempted to pass under the front window to gain a better observation point on Gotham.  However,  Gotham was observing the deputies from the above window and fired down striking K-9 Deputy Litz in the neck.  Deputies placed a bullet-proof shield over a portion of the window as another deputy tried to pull K-9 Deputy Litz to safety.  K-9 Deputy Litz did not survive his injuries.

Deputies attempted to apprehend Gotham and a standoff ensued.  Gotham refused to put his weapon down and fired shots at the deputies.  Gotham was shot and died from his injuries.

Deputy Brian Litz was 35-years-old at the time he was murdered. He was survived by his wife Cherie and 5-year-old son, Brian.

We hope that you, your family, friends and neighbors will be a part of something special that will last for many years to come. We ask for your support in the creation of a new memorial in honor of the Fallen Officers from all Law Enforcement Agencies in Marion County. We are asking that you purchase an etched brick for a small fee of $60.00 per brick. Each brick will be placed in a special walkway of this new memorial.

• Fallen Officer Memorial Brick Form