The attorney for the cemetery owner shot and wounded by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper on Monday said his client was not doing anything illegal during the incident.
According to FHP spokesperson Sgt. Steve Gaskins, the shooting happened at 6 a.m. at the Royal Palm Cemetery at 2600 Gandy Boulevard in Pinellas Park. Clifford Work, 48, of Tampa was shot by FHP trooper Daniel Cole as the trooper approached a garage as he tracked the signal from a stolen vehicle.
“Mr. Work is the owner of the property where this occurred and he acted in a totally reasonable and lawful manner," attorney Stuart "Todd" Vargo said in a statement to Bay News 9 on Wednesday. "I cannot make the same conclusion with respect to Trooper Cole’s actions.”
The family of Work told Bay News 9 that they are not ready to make any public statements yet. Vargo said that when Work is able, he plans to speak with Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigators about the incident. The FHP had no further comment Wednesday.
Employees at Work's cemetery locations said Wednesday he has been communicating with them from the hospital. Vargo added that his client is doing well, but there were no plans to release him from Bayfront Medical Center where he has been treated since Monday.
Bay News 9 legal analyst Joe Episcopo said "the issue is not only will the family probably sue, but will the FDLE do a proper investigation, and if they find misconduct on behalf of Trooper Cole, will he be prosecuted?”
Sgt. Steve Gaskins at the Florida Highway Patrol said that Cole’s standard administrative leave is set to expire tomorrow morning. No moves have been made to extend it.
FHP says Trooper Cole is a 13-year veteran of the Florida Highway Patrol. He was not injured.
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In September 2011, Cole tased Danielle Maudsley at a Pinellas Park FHP substation. She was arrested and accused of being involved in two hit-and-run crashes and driving without a license.
Maudsley hit her head on the concrete. Her family said she suffered severe brain damage. Her family hired attorney Kevin Hayslett who says Maudsley has been moved to a new facilty and is still in a vegetative state.
Trooper Cole was cleared of any wrongdoing in that case earlier this year. He has been placed on administrative leave for three days which is standard procedure.