LAKELAND, Fla. — A 50-year-old Lakeland motorcycle police officer was killed in a crash Thursday morning on his way to work.

According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Paul Dunn was killed just before 6 a.m. when his motorcycle for unknown reasons collided with and drove over a raised concrete median between the north and southbound lanes on Lakeland Highlands Road just south of Lake Miriam Drive.

This caused Officer Dunn to lose control of the motorcycle. Officer Dunn and the motorcycle came to rest in the inside (left) lane of the northbound roadway.

  • Fatal crash involving motorcycle police officer in Lakeland
  • Paul Dunn, 50, killed in the crash just before 6 a.m. 
  • Crash investigation ongoing

He was operating his agency Harley Davidson Police Road King motorcycle. 

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said multiple passersby stopped at the crash site to help render aid to Dunn and call 911.

Judd said Madeline Sinclair, the wife of a deputy, stopped and called 911. Another woman, Laura Lewis, a nurse practitioner, began CPR on Dunn.

Officer Dunn was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead at 6:53 a.m. at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. Dunn, who was with the agency about five years after a dozen years with the Polk Sheriff's Office, also served as a U.S. Marine. Dunn was a married with three adult children.

Authorities are conducting a fatal crash investigation, as it occurred in the unincorporated area of Lakeland.  

Judd said the investigation will be exhausted to determine the cause of the crash. Meanwhile, Lakeland Police Chief Ruben Garcia spoke highly of Dunn. 

"We appreciate all the service he has given us," Garcia said. "(It's) a tragic loss for our agency and community as well."

Paul Dunn, a Lakeland Police Motorcycle Officer, died Thursday morning. (Lakeland Police)