The Stories Behind Tarpon Springs' Fallen Law Enforcement Officers

With fallen officers dating back to 1893, the recent earning of accreditation status and a consistently growing cutting edge approach, the Tarpon Springs Police Department has solidified its place in the community.

As the nationally recognized Police Week continues, Tarpon Springs Patch would like to highlight four fallen police officers from the local police department. 

The names of the following individuals are inscribed on the recently erected public safety memorial in front of the department building in Tarpon Springs. 

• Patrolman Everett E. Blewfield

In 1926 Patrolman Blewfield was shot to death by thieves while serving the Tarpon Springs Police Department. He had been on the department for less than two weeks when the incident occurred, according to the TSPD website. Blewfield moved with his wife and three sons to the area in the early 1920s before joining the force. His oldest son, Quinton Blewfield, ended up serving the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

• Marshal Rueben T. Jones

A Tarpon Springs native, Marshal Jones served as town marshal for 12 years straight, beginning in 1906. In 1921, Jones died from more than three dozen buckshot holes during a hunting trip. The TSPD website states that the case was never solved and no motive was ever discovered for the shooting. According to the department's website, Jones was believed to be a "no nonsense kind of law officer."  

• Police Officer Lanny Rhea Langford

After he served in the Army National Guard, Langford became a Tarpon Springs police officer in 1969 and in the same year lost his life in an on-duty car accident. Officer Langford, originally from Kentucky, spent most of his youth in north Pinellas county, according to the Tarpon Springs PD website. In high school, Langford played football and participated in band a glee club. 

• Marshal "Rat" Whitehurst

Marshal Whitehurst passed away in 1893 during a gunfight with a longtime enemy of the Stevenson clan after allegedly being set up with a drunk and disorderly call. According to Patch blogger, Jeff Cannon, the feud between the families was only just beginning and after Whitehurst was slain, the battle lasted until 1900. 

National Police Week runs from May 12-18 with May 15 being dubbed Peace Officers Day. 

According to a proclamation by former President of the United States, George W. Bush in 2002:

"Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week pay tribute to the local, State, and Federal law enforcement officers who serve and protect us with courage and dedication. These observances also remind us of the ongoing need to be vigilant against all forms of crime, especially to acts of extreme violence and terrorism."

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