Hillsborough Deputy Kills Wife, Granddaughter, Daughter, Self

PLANT CITY, FL — A Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputy took his own life after fatally shooting his wife, daughter and 6-year-old granddaughter.

In a press conference, Sheriff Chad Chronister said Deputy Terry Strawn, 55, a school resource deputy at Valrico Elementary School, shot and killed his wife, Theresa, 54, and his granddaughter, Londyn, who lived with the couple at their Valrico home. He then went to the home of his daughter, Courtney Strawn, 32, and killed her. Finally, he shot and killed himself with his service revolver as fellow deputies pleaded with him to put his gun down.

The sheriff said 911 operators received a call from Strawn at 6:42 a.m. Wednesday saying he had killed three family members and was going to kill himself.

While the 911 supervisor tried to talk the deputy out of taking his life, three sheriff's deputies located him near the Plant City High School baseball fields, a short distance from his daughter's home. They, too, tried to convince him not to commit suicide but he shot himself in front of the deputies.

"They made every effort to convince him that there was a different way; there was a different solution," said Chronister.

We are saddened beyond comprehension that this has occurred on our watch. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families as we try work to understand all the details in this case -- Sheriff Chad Chronister

The deputy was hired by the sheriff's office in 1991 and retired two years ago. However, he was hired back on a temporary basis last summer to provide security at an elementary school in accordance with the new state requirements to have a law enforcement officer assigned to every public school.

Chronister said he proved to be a "phenomenal employee" at the elementary school, which his granddaughter attended.

"He's done such a wonderful job we just made the decision to hire him back permanently," said Chronister. "He was ecstatic. He was extremely grateful. He said Christmas had come early."

Chronister said grief counselors have been sent to the elementary school. They are also providing support for the 911 dispatchers and the deputies on the scene of the shooting.

He said there was no indication that the deputy had any issues that would lead to such desperate actions.

"He as an exemplary employee. There was no indication of any type of behavioral issues," he said. "He had glowing recommendations. There was no indication whatsoever that would lead us to believe this deputy would conduct himself in the manner he did."

Chronister said the deputy, however, alluded to health and financial problems when he was speaking with the 911 supervisor, "but we have not been able to confirm that."

"He indicated that he was losing everything and said he had to go be with his family," said Chronister.

He said nothing came up in the credit check the department did prior to rehiring the deputy permanently. He also underwent psychological testing prior to being hired back and there were no red flags.

He called this latest murder-suicide extremely sad and disheartening, especially in light another murder-suicide by a Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputy on Sept. 22 in Land O' Lakes (see related story).

"I’m sad but I’m also disheartened that a Hillsborough County deputy would ever cause harm to another individual," he said.

"We’ve been concerned. We see suicide rates that have risen. Why this is occurring. I wish I knew," said Chronister, noting that the sheriff's office has developed a suicide prevention and awareness program for personnel that is due to begin Jan. 1. "We have to change the culture. We have to let everyone know it’s OK to ask for help."

Valrico Elementary School responded with the following statement:

The staff and families at Valrico Elementary are devastated by this unthinkable tragedy. Londyn was a first grade student at the school. She loved to learn and was excited about reading and math. She had a kind spirit and always helped classmates.The news came as a shock to everyone at the school and they are working through their grief. Our district has crisis team members at the school to work with staff members. We have let parents know crisis team members will be at school Thursday for any students who want to talk.

Help for Those Considering Suicide

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, there are resources to help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-SUICIDE (or 1-800-784-2433), and its website offers services including a live chat.

Images via Hillsborough Sheriff

(For more local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)