Florida Deputy Collapses While On Duty

[CPDlife4ME]

Posted: Monday, January 21, 2008
Updated: January 21st, 2008 11:34 AM EDT

Story by local6.com

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. --

A Volusia County sheriff's deputy died early Monday morning after suffering an apparent heart attack while working.

Deputy Richard Atkins Jr., 65, was stricken at about 4 a.m. and taken to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach, where he was pronounced dead at 4:58 a.m., according to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.

Atkins, who worked in the agency's law enforcement unit at Daytona Beach International Airport, was inside an office monitoring surveillance cameras and was due to complete his shift at 6 a.m. At about 4 a.m., another deputy walked into the office and discovered Atkins slumped in his chair and unconscious.

Efforts to revive him were not successful.

"We're all deeply saddened by the passing of **** Atkins," said Volusia County Sheriff Johnson. "He had law enforcement in his blood and died doing what he loved -- enforcing the law and serving the public. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Atkins family as they mourn their loss."

Atkins retired as a Daytona Beach police officer after more than 30 years with the department and then took a job with the county's airport law enforcement unit. Atkins later became a sheriff's deputy, taking the oath of office when the county transferred responsibility for the unit to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office in March 2002.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.

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[cntryboy0531]

RIP Deputy

[jmac_52]

R.I.P. Deputy Atkins.

:(

[Nole795]

Rest in Peace Deputy...

[Puddle Pirate]

Rip :(