An Orange County deputy was shot and killed early Tuesday while investigating a car burglary near Apopka-Vineland Road and Westminster Abbey Boulevard. Investigators said the suspect was found dead nearby, possibly from a self-inflicted gunshot.

Deputy Jonathan Scott Pine, 34, had been with the Orange County Sheriff's Office since January 2011. The Louisiana Tech University graduate is survived by his wife and three young children.

The Sheriff's Office said Pine was called around 11 p.m. Monday to a reported car break-in at the Chatterly Way Apartments, near Apopka-Vineland and Conroy Windermere roads, when he encountered a robbery suspect on Westminster Abbey Boulevard.

Pine called out a description of the suspect over his radio and then stopped the man, later identified as Benjamin Holtermann, 28.

Investigators said Holtermann fled on foot, and Pine chase him through the backyard of a home, where Holtermann shot the deputy. Two of the three bullets struck Pine's bulletproof vest. Pine was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he later died.

Additional deputies arrived at the scene and found Holtermann dead at a nearby home from what they said appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"Early this morning, Scott acted bravely and gave his life making a difference so that could others could sleep safely while he stood guard against the perils of our society," Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said Tuesday evening.

Investigators said they do not believe Pine exchanged gunfire with the suspect, and only Holtermann fired shots.

Demings said the deputy's death comes one day after the department warned residents and deputies about an alarming spike in auto burglaries.

"He patrolled and wanted to help bring to an end, the crime spree. In other words, he wanted to make a difference in this community,” Demings said.

The sheriff said Holtermann was wanted in Virginia and had a criminal record in Maryland. During an evening news conference, Demings said investigators have the incident on helicopter video, which shows Pine was ambushed as he rounded a corner in someone's backyard.

“The individual who shot him was intending to shot him and all I can say is he apparently took the cowardly way out," Demings said. "We still have to do ballistics and all of that, they have to come back but it appears the subject (suspect) took his own life.”

Deputies apprehended a woman who was with Holtermann, 18-year-old Erica Pugh, who confessed to a recent armed robbery in the area of Hiawassee and Old Winter Garden roads. Holtermann and Pugh were accused of robbing someone they were supposed to be purchasing marijuana from. Pugh was arrested on charges of burglary and grand theft.

Demings, who was out of the state at the time, returned to Orlando to pay his respects to Deputy Pine.

“We’re saddened," the sheriff said. "In many ways, our heart is broken but we’re not broken. We’re still focused on the task at hand.”

Viewing, funeral and internment information have yet to be announced. The Sheriff's Office said mourning bands will be worn until midnight on Monday, Feb. 24.

Donations can be made at any Orlando Federal Credit Union branch for the Deputy Jonathan Scott Pine Memorial Fund.

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Memorial for Jonathan Pine

Source: Orange County Sheriff's Office

"On the evening of February 11, 2014, Deputy Sheriff Jonathan Scott Pine was working patrol on the midnight shift protecting Orange County's southwestern side as a dedicated community servant; when a radio call of a vehicle burglary was broadcast in the Courtleigh Park subdivision.

Jonathan was aware that a string of similar burglaries had been occurring in the area and responded to assist in any search or apprehension. A little past midnight, Jonathan radioed in to the agency's communications center that he was making an investigatory stop on a suspicious subject. Minutes later the agency received a follow-up radio transmission from Jonathan advising that he was in a foot pursuit of the fleeing suspect, when something went horribly wrong. As he gave chase, the suspect was able to shoot at and strike Jonathan. As deputies arrived, they found Jonathan seriously wounded and rendered aid; as they did so additional gunfire was heard in the vicinity. The suspect was located a few homes away from the murder scene with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A second suspect was located, detained and arrested on felony charges.

Jonathan was rushed to the trauma center, but sadly succumbed to his injuries. This night the Orange County Sheriff's Office and our community lost one of its heroes in the line of duty.

Jonathan leaves behind a loving wife and three young children. For them and their family members the heartache and loss will never fade. As anyone who has lost a loved one to an act of violence knows, the memory of their husbands, sons, and daughters, and the act that took them, will linger forever.

When a law enforcement agency loses one of its own to a senseless and unthinkable act of violence the community those deputies and police officers serve seems to pause for a brief moment and breathe a collective, sad sigh. Some will silently grieve the loss, while others will express open outrage.

There is little we can do but honor and pay a silent tribute to the men and women, we all too often take for granted, whose lives are taken from them while they serve and protect our community."

See also: Officer Down Memorial Page for Jonathan Pine

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Updates from the Orange County Sheriff's Office

1:36 p.m.

The Sheriff's Office tweets:

11:33 a.m.

Slain deputy identified:

5:41 a.m.

Sheriff Demings is on a flight returning to Orlando:

4:27 a.m.

Statement from Sheriff Jerry Demings:

4:19 a.m.

The Sheriff's Office tweets:

3:50 a.m.

The Sheriff's Office confirms the deputy has died:

1:53 a.m.

The Sheriff's Office tweets:

Shortly after midnight Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014

Deputy Jonathan Pine first responds to reports of a car burglary at the Chatterly Way Apartments. He was shot after and killed at Apopka-Vineland Road and Westminster Abbey Boulevard.

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Statements from local and state leaders

Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings

The citizens of Orange County lost a true hero who was tragically killed patrolling the streets of our community. I ask the community for their prayers for our fallen deputy's family which includes a wife and three small children.

Thank you for your continued support as we go through these trying times together.

The Sheriff's Office said Demings was on a flight returning to Orlando in the wake of the shooting.

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi

I am heartbroken to learn that Deputy Pine was killed in the line of duty. My prayers are with his wife, three children, other family members, and his law enforcement family. He is a true hero who died protecting his community.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer

It's simply tragic. It's hard to put into words. To lose any officer, especially a young deputy sheriff with a young family, that is simply tragic. These guys are heroes every day they go to work.

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs

Our hearts go out to the family of the fallen deputy, and to the entire Orange County Sheriff's Office. We mourn the loss of this courageous deputy, who gave his life in the line of duty and in the service of Orange County’s citizens.

Our full resources are at the disposal of Sheriff Demings and his department, as well as the family of the slain deputy.

Orlando Police Chief Paul Rooney

Chief Paul Rooney and the entire Orlando Police Department offer their sincere condolences for the Deputy killed in the line of duty overnight. His family, friends, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office are in the thoughts and prayers of every member of OPD.

The men and women in law enforcement risk their lives every day to protect the community they serve and are true heroes. OPD has and will continue to assist and support the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, our law enforcement brothers and sisters, through their time of sacrifice and sorrow.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott

The death of Deputy Jonathan Scott Pine is a solemn reminder of the risks that law enforcement across Florida take to ensure the safety of all Florida citizens. Today, I spoke with Deputy Pine's wife, and expressed our sincere condolences to their family during this difficult time.

The thoughts and prayers of all Floridians remain with the Orange County Sheriff's Office and law enforcement across the state, as we mourn a fallen hero.

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Notable officer shootings in Central Florida

July 23, 2013 - Jason Hajek
Jason Hajek, a city of Orlando police officer, pulled over a car for reckless driving. Two men jumped out of the car and ran. One suspect, Demetrius Patterson, fired two shots at Hajek, striking him in the stomach. Hajek was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center and underwent surgery. The 23-year-old Patterson had a long criminal history, having been arrested over 40 times, 26 times for felonies, and 16 times for misdemeanors.

March 6, 2012 - Barbara Pill
Brevard County Deputy Barbara Pill was killed after pulling over two suspected thieves in Melbourne. Pill pulled over the suspects along John Rodes Boulevard. They refused to obey her commands and she called for backup, but before additional officers could arrive, deputies heard multiple gunshots over their radios.

December 8, 2010 - Brandon Coates
Orange County Deputy Brandon Coates was shot during a traffic stop near 45th Street and Orange Blossom Trail. Coates had been with the Orange County Sheriff's Office for four and a half years before the shooting, and was a member of the Tactical Anti-Crime Unit.

June 3, 2010 - Brandon Worrall
Sanford Police Officer Brandon Worrall was shot while responding to a routine trespassing call at Cedar Creek Apartments. 16-year-old Henry Baker fired four shots at Worrall, one of which hit Worrall in his side. Two others missed, and the fourth struck Worrall in his bulletproof vest.

July 15, 2009 - Vann Streety
Florida Fish and Wildlife Officer Vann Streety pulled over 25-year-old Christopher Eddy in a remote area of Cocoa. When Eddy pulled over, he opened fire on Streety. Eddy was sentenced to five life sentences for the shooting. Streety was shot six times by Eddy.

March 25, 2009 - Sherif el-Shami
Orange City Police Officer Sherif el-Shami responded to an East University Avenue home and was shot at multiple times by Brayn Langford, a self-styled survivalist. Langford was then found dead inside the home, along with his girlfriend. El-Shami lost his left eye in the attack; he is now a detective for the Orange City Police Department.

October 4, 2007 - Alfred Gordon, Sr.
Orlando Police Officer Alfred Gordon Sr. was making an ATM transaction around 1:00am at Hiawassee and Silver Star Road when he became the victim of a robbery. Gordon Sr. was on his way home from work and was not on duty at the time of the shooting. Suspects Davin Smith and Hugo Terry were found guilty; both received life sentences.

October 10, 2005 - Adam Pierce
Orange County Deputy Adam Pierce was shot after stopping a man on a bike in the Holden Heights area. The man, Jeffrey Forbes, was tasered but then was able to roll away, pull out a gun, and shoot Pierce twice. As a result of the shooting, Pierce was paralyzed from the waist down. Forbes was sentenced to life for the shooting.

April 14, 2005 - Jonathan Butcher
Belleview Police Officer Jonathan Butcher was shot inside a Kash-n-Karry on South U.S. Highway 301 by 56-year-old Robert Teti. Butcher was in the process of putting handcuffs on Teti for disorderly conduct when Teti opened fire. Teti also shot and killed the manager of the store. Butcher says that his bulletproof vest saved his life.

February 9, 2005 - Wayne Koester
Lake County Deputy Wayne Koester was killed in an ambush while responding to a domestic violence call. Koester, along with deputies Tom McKane and Bill Crotty, were shot by Jason Wheeler as they approached Wheeler's home in Paisley. Documents later revealed Wheeler wanted to "go out in a blaze of glory." Wheeler was sentenced to death for the shooting.

February 7. 2004 - Brian Litz
Marion County Deputy Brian Litz was shot and killed while responding to a well-being check. 74-year-old Ivan Gotham exchanged gunfire with Litz in a senior adult community on S. W. 104th Place. Gotham died at the scene in a gunfight with responding law enforcement. Litz had been a K-9 Deputy with Marion County.

February 3, 2000 - George DeSalvia
Orlando Police Officers George DeSalvia and Eddie Diaz were making a routine traffic stop when they were shot by Emmanuel St. Nattis. DeSalvia died from his wounds; Diaz was injured. St. Nattis was sentenced to life without parole for the shooting.

July 8, 1998 - Eugene Gregory
Seminole County Deputy Eugene Gregory was responding to a landlord-tenant dispute. Geneva resident Alan Singletary, who had a history of mental illness, opened fire on Gregory, killing him. SWAT teams returned fire and killed Singletary. Gregory was nicknamed "Stetson" and "Cowboy" because local residents said he was always wearing his deputy's hat.