Honoring Our Fallen Heroes

Correctional Deputy Nowak died in the line of duty on August 12, 2021, in Tallahassee, FL.

Nowak worked in the medical unit at the Leon County Detention Facility. He had been employed for more than 19 years with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.

He had spent his entire adult life as a civil servant. Nowak was both a US Marine Corps and an Army veteran and served multiple tours of duty.

Correctional Deputy Nowak was admired by all who knew him both within the agency and the community he served. He leaves behind his wife, four children, and two grandchildren.

Deputy Sheriff Christopher Smith was shot from ambush when he responded to reports of a house fire at the end of Caracus Court. Deputy Smith was among the first to arrive on scene at approximately 10:22 a.m. and was immediately shot and killed by the subject, who had approached him from behind.

The subject then took Deputy Smith's firearm and continued to fire at other responders, including members of the Tallahassee Fire Department and Tallahassee Police Department. One other sheriff's deputy was shot and wounded before the subject was shot and killed by an off-duty Tallahassee police officer who lived nearby and had responded to the sound of gunfire.

It is believed that the subject intentionally set the house fire with the intention to kill as many first responders as possible.

Deputy Smith had previously served as a dispatcher and corrections officer. He served with the Leon County Sheriff's Office for almost six years and had served in law enforcement for almost 26 years. Deputy Smith is survived by his wife and children.

K9 Koda was shot and killed as he attempted to take down a subject following a vehicle pursuit.

Deputies had pursued a vehicle several blocks until the vehicle crashed into a ditch near the intersection of Seminole Drive and South Magnolia Drive. The subject continued to flee on foot and then opened fire on K9 Koda and deputies. Two deputies returned fire and wounded the subject before taking him into custody.

It was later determined that the subject was wanted on warrants for attempted first degree murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and discharging a firearm from a vehicle.

Deputy Sheriff Khomas Revels was shot and killed when he attempted to take action when he interrupted a robbery while he was off duty.

He and another jailer had entered a grocery store on Lake Bradford Road, near West Orange Avenue, not realizing that a robbery was taking place. Deputy Revels and the other deputy were off duty but in uniform and unarmed. The three armed offenders had the two deputies lay on the ground next to four patrons. The men then robbed the deputies of their money before one of the subjects stated he was going to kill all of the victims.

The statement prompted Deputy Revels to jump to his feet and struggle with one of the subjects. The other deputy came to his assistance. As they struggled with the man one of the other subjects shot both deputies multiple times. Deputy Revels was fatally wounded while the other deputy suffered serious wounds.

All three subjects were eventually apprehended. They were convicted of multiple charges related to the murder and robbery and sentenced to life in prison.

Sheriff Langston was shot and killed by an escaped Georgia convict at a turpentine camp outside of Spring Hill. The sheriff had received information that the suspect was at a particular location. While Sheriff Langston searched a shed the suspect ambushed him and shot him in the side before escaping.

On June 6, 1909, a mob of men stormed the county jail and lynched the suspect.

Sheriff Langston was survived by his wife and two children.