Accused Orlando Cop Killer: Reward Rises To $100K

ORLANDO, FL — As the search continues for the man accused of killing an Orlando Police officer on Monday, the reward for information that leads to Markeith Loyd’s arrest has climbed to $100,000. The increased reward amount was announced Tuesday afternoon.

Orlando Police Chief John Mina and Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings stood side by side during a Jan. 10 media conference announcing that the search remains very much active. Both law enforcement officers also stressed their intentions to arrest anyone who attempts to harbor or help Loyd.

“Anyone who gets involved, they’re going to subject themselves to be arrested,” Demings said.

Loyd, 41, has a long criminal history, dating back decades. Past charges include battery on a corrections officer, cocaine trafficking and domestic violence. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said Loyd took his criminal career to a new level on Dec. 13 when he’s accused of shooting and killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend Sade Dixon, 24. He’s also accused of injuring Dixon’s brother.

It was based on that initial manhunt that Orlando Master Sgt. Debra Clayton would have her fatal run-in with the accused killer on Jan. 9.

See also: Accused Orlando Cop Killer’s ‘Most Wanted’ Aspirations Aired On Facebook

According to the Orlando Police Department, Clayton, 42, was at a Walmart around 7:15 a.m. when a shopper told her Loyd was inside the store. Clayton reportedly called for backup to help her at the John Young Parkway and Princeton Street location, but then obtained visual confirmation of Loyd for herself. Police say she chased after Loyd and ordered him to stop.

Mina said Loyd did not stop but opened fire instead. Clayton fired back but did not hit him.

Clayton was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center following the shooting, but the mother of one, a 17-year veteran of the department, succumbed to her injuries at 7:40 a.m., Mina reported.

See also: Support For Orlando Pours In Following Officers' Deaths

As the search for the accused cop killer kicked into high gear Monday, an Orange County deputy, Norman Lewis, was killed in a motorcycle crash while responding to the manhunt.

With two law enforcement officers in the Orlando area killed within the span of a few hours, the outpouring of support to help capture Loyd has been overwhelming, officials say.

CrimeLine Florida has received more than 300 tips since Clayton’s death. “There has never been a reward this large,” Orlando Police noted about the $100,000 offering.

Crime Line’s executive director, Barb Bergin, promised callers would remain anonymous.

“We have never burned or harmed a tipster,” Bergin said Tuesday. “We just need to know where he’s at.”

Mina has promised is agency won’t stop until Loyd is in custody.

“We’ll get him,” he said. “It’s only a matter of time.”

Mina stopped short of saying where law enforcement is focusing its efforts in the manhunt. Instead, he said law enforcement agencies throughout Central Florida and the state are actively seeking to bring Loyd into custody.

Anyone who knows of Loyd’s whereabouts is asked to contact 911 or CrimeLine at 800-423-8477.

Photo of Markeith Loyd courtesy of the Orange County Sheriff's Office