Plaque Honors Polk Sheriff's Deputies Killed In Helicopter Crash

BARTOW, FL -- Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd was on hand to dedicate a portion of the Panther Point Trail along Lake Hancock between Bartow and Winter Haven to two sheriff's deputies who lost their lives in the line of duty.

The dedication plaque honors Polk County Sheriff's pilot Gene "Brian" Wilkinson, 33, and flight observer, Sheriff's Deputy Larry Rhoden, 33, who died when the sheriff's 1971 OH-58 Kiowa Scout helicopter they were flying crashed into a swamp on the north side of Bartow near Lake Hancock on a foggy night Oct. 22, 2001.

Wilkinson was flying the helicopter with Rhoden operating the infrared and video equipment while looking for a burglary suspect in Eaton Park about seven miles northwest of the Bartow Municipal Airport.

The helicopter crashed in a remote, swampy area on the undeveloped 3,535-acre Old Florida Plantation site, two miles from its base at the Bartow airport.

The Polk Sheriff's Charities Inc. funded the plaque and bench.

"We appreciate everyone who supports our charity," Judd said. "Through the charity, we are able to memorialize those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, assist their family members, help citizens in need and support other worthy causes. We hope everyone who visits the trail will stop to read this plaque and pause for just a minute to pay tribute to these two young men who dedicated their lives to serving Polk County."

Images via Polk County Sheriff's Office