Tarpon Springs Cop First Police Officer Shot Dead in the Town Since 1926

As details emerge about the fatal shooting of a Tarpon Springs, Florida, police officer, one thing is clear: Officers taking deadly fire in the town of 23,000 is not an everyday occurrence.

According to the Tarpon Springs Police Department, the male officer gunned down around 3 a.m. Sunday could be the first Tarpon Springs cop to be killed in the line of duty since 1969 — and the first to die from gunfire since 1926.

Image via Tarpon Springs Police Department

Below are the Tarpon Springs police officers who were killed in the line of duty prior to Sunday's shooting:

Police Officer Lanny Rhea Langford

Tarpon Springs Police Department

EOW: Tuesday, November 18, 1969

Cause: Automobile accident

Patrolman Everett E. Blewfield

Tarpon Springs Police Department

EOW: Monday, August 16, 1926

Cause: Gunfire

Marshal Rueben T. Jones

Tarpon Springs Police Department

EOW: Saturday, August 27, 1921

Cause: Gunfire

Marshal "Rat" Whitehurst

Tarpon Springs Police Department

EOW: July 4, 1893

Cause: Gunfire

(H/T: WFTS-TV)

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