Sgt Jon
08-07-2008, 14:16
BUSHNELL -- An on-duty officer with the Bushnell Police Department was killed Tuesday in a head-on collision in Sumter County.
Detective Sandra Joyce Bullock, 59, a 15-year-veteran with the department, died on the scene.
Police with the department of nine full-time officers, including Chief Joyce Wells, had black ribbons wrapped around their badges Wednesday morning.
Wells rushed to the State Road 471 scene just outside of Bushnell after hearing news of the crash.
"We all still shocked," said Wells, who looked obviously upset behind her desk Wednesday morning. "She was a dedicated officer who was concerned with citizens, especially children."
The department will conduct a police funeral for Bullock at 11 a.m., Monday at the First Baptist Church in Bushnell.
Bullock was driving home in her unmarked Ford Crown Victoria about 6 p.m. Tuesday when the accident occurred on S.R. 471, just north of just north of County Road 476.
According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, she had been driving north, and Matthew Frank Isaacs, 24, of Bushnell was driving in the opposite direction.
The report adds Isaacs was trying to pass a car in front of him, and ended up in the path of Bullock's oncoming vehicle. Bullock veered right and braked in a futile attempt to avoid striking Isaacs' 2005 Jeep.
The collision sent her squad car spinning, and it landed on its right side.
Yellow caution tape, accident debris and overturned dirt remained on the scene Wednesday morning. Bullock is survived by two daughters and grandchildren, Wells said.
Bullock had previously worked as an investigator with the Lady Lake Police Department with then-detective Sgt. Ed Nathanson.
"She was a good person and police officer," said Nathanson, now the chief of Lady Lake's police department. "It's a tragic loss and our hearts go out to her."
Isaacs and his passenger, Desire Skye Copper, 18, sustained minor injuries. FHP Sgt. Steve Gaskins said the accident is still under investigation. Isaacs has not been cited.
Thursday, August 07, 2008 - www.dailycommercial.com/08-07-08-copdies
Detective Sandra Joyce Bullock, 59, a 15-year-veteran with the department, died on the scene.
Police with the department of nine full-time officers, including Chief Joyce Wells, had black ribbons wrapped around their badges Wednesday morning.
Wells rushed to the State Road 471 scene just outside of Bushnell after hearing news of the crash.
"We all still shocked," said Wells, who looked obviously upset behind her desk Wednesday morning. "She was a dedicated officer who was concerned with citizens, especially children."
The department will conduct a police funeral for Bullock at 11 a.m., Monday at the First Baptist Church in Bushnell.
Bullock was driving home in her unmarked Ford Crown Victoria about 6 p.m. Tuesday when the accident occurred on S.R. 471, just north of just north of County Road 476.
According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, she had been driving north, and Matthew Frank Isaacs, 24, of Bushnell was driving in the opposite direction.
The report adds Isaacs was trying to pass a car in front of him, and ended up in the path of Bullock's oncoming vehicle. Bullock veered right and braked in a futile attempt to avoid striking Isaacs' 2005 Jeep.
The collision sent her squad car spinning, and it landed on its right side.
Yellow caution tape, accident debris and overturned dirt remained on the scene Wednesday morning. Bullock is survived by two daughters and grandchildren, Wells said.
Bullock had previously worked as an investigator with the Lady Lake Police Department with then-detective Sgt. Ed Nathanson.
"She was a good person and police officer," said Nathanson, now the chief of Lady Lake's police department. "It's a tragic loss and our hearts go out to her."
Isaacs and his passenger, Desire Skye Copper, 18, sustained minor injuries. FHP Sgt. Steve Gaskins said the accident is still under investigation. Isaacs has not been cited.
Thursday, August 07, 2008 - www.dailycommercial.com/08-07-08-copdies