Two Florida cops who were murdered in the line of duty never had a chance to return fire

Sgt. Richard ‘Sam’ Howard and Officer Matthew Baxter, both of the Kissimmee Police Department, were gunned down by a suspect late Friday. (KISSIMMEE POLICE DEPARTMENT VIA EPA)

The two Florida police officers killed in the line of duty never had a chance to return fire, according to officials, the Associated Press reported.

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The Kissimmee Police Department officers killed were Sgt. Richard “Sam” Howard and Officer Matthew Baxter.

Kissimmee Police Department

Late Friday night, the officers were on a patrol in a neighborhood with a history of drug-related activity. Officer Baxter was “checking out” three people, including 45-year-old Everett Miller, when the officer got into a scuffle with him.

Kissimmee Police Department

Howard, Baxter’s sergeant, responded as backup, according to Kissimmee Police Chief Jeff O’Dell.

The officers, who were not wearing body cameras, did not have a chance to respond to return fire before being fatally shot.

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Sheriff’s deputies with a neighboring law enforcement agency, according to O’Dell, chased Miller down to a bar, where they approached him.

When Miller reportedly reached toward his waistband, the officers jumped him and tackled him to the ground, subduing him.

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Miller was arrested and charged with murdering Baxter and Howard. Miller, who left the Marines for mental health reasons, came in contact with police around 9:30 p.m and allegedly shot at officers, killing Baxter and Howard.

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“I am so proud of the sworn and civilian members of our department by acting quickly to identify the suspect and bring him to justice,” O’Dell said in a statement. “We will mourn over the next few days; we will get through this and we love them for what they do.”

In the days before the shooting, Miller wrote a number of anti-American posts on Facebook. The other officer who was shot is expected to recover.

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