COPS ARE GETTING MURDERED BECAUSE THE POLICE HAVE BEEN DEMONIZED

Florida Sheriff: 'What Do You Expect Happens When You Demonize Law Enforcement?'

by Cindy Swirko

The Gainesville Sun
April 20, 2018

TRENTON, Florida -- Two Gilchrist County sheriff's deputies were shot through the window of a Chinese restaurant in downtown Trenton Thursday afternoon by an older man who was soon found dead in a car just outside.

Investigators pieced together evidence but could share few answers about what may have prompted the shootings, which happened about 3 p.m.

State Attorney Bill Cervone called the act "inexplicable."

"It appears he just walked up and shot them, then went to his car and shot himself. It's inexplicable ... people will want to know why and we may never have an answer for them."

In an emotional but measured news conference Thursday evening, Gilchrist County Sheriff Bobby Schultz spoke about the sergeant and deputy sheriff who were killed, calling the shooter a "coward" and suggesting that the demonization of law enforcement may be partly to blame.

Schultz spent much of his time with the media describing Sgt. Noel Ramirez, a seven-year law enforcement officer who had worked for other area departments before joining Gilchrist's force, and 25-year-old Deputy Taylor Lindsey.

Flanked by a group of sheriffs and other law enforcement officials from agencies around north central Florida, including Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell, he called the men who died "quintessential deputy sheriffs," said they were loved, and that both "gave their lives so we can all be safe."

Ramirez, 29, is survived by his wife and two young children. Lindsey joined the sheriff's office in 2013.

Schultz had the gut-wrenching task of talkng with the families of Ramirez and Lindsey about their deaths.

"I made contact with the families, and as you'd expect, you can never be prepared for something like this. But make no mistake, they are proud of their families. They understood when their loved ones pinned on a badge and strapped on a gun that this was a possibility," Schultz said. "Sgt. Ramirez and Deputy Lindsey were the best of the best. They're men of integrity, they're men of loyalty, they are God-fearing and they loved what they did. We are very proud of them."

Schultz said he didn't intend to make their deaths a political issue but spoke of some of the conflicting attitudes toward law enforcement in the United States.

"What do you expect happens when you demonize law enforcement to the extent it's been demonized? Every type of hate, every type of put-down you can think of," Schultz said. "The only thing these men were guilty of is wanting to protect you and me. They just wanted to get something to eat, and they just wanted to do their job."

In a late press release, Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office identified the shooter as John Hubert Highnote, 58, of Bell.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate the shooting. Sources said the gunfire was not preceded by any sort of incident in the restaurant.

Deputies from neighboring agencies will assist Gilchrist County to make sure service is not hindered while the agency is tied up with the aftermath of the shootings.

"Gilchrist County is as safe today as it was yesterday and will be tomorrow, as these men and women behind me are going to make sure of that," Schultz said. "Gilchrist County is resilient. We haven't been through anything quite like this before, but what makes our county unique is that we are family, just like the entire law enforcement community."

About an hour before Schultz's press conference, President Donald Trump tweeted that "My thoughts, prayers and condolences are with the families, friends and colleagues of the two @GCSOFlorida deputies (HEROES) who lost their lives in the line of duty today."

Deputies who responded to calls for help found the shooter dead outside Ace China, 1122 Wade St.

A large swath around the restaurant was roped off throughout the evening, and it swarmed with law enforcement. Officials from the Levy County Sheriff's Office, the Alachua County Sheriff's Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the State Attorney's Office were at the scene.