Residents lined up Thursday afternoon along U.S. 19 to witness the procession for fallen Deputy Michael Magli, who was killed in the line of duty the night before by a suspected drunk driver.
He was 30-years-old.
What You Need To Know
- A procession was held Thursday for fallen PCSO Deputy Michael Magli
- Residents and first responders lined the streets to pay their respects
Many brought their American and law enforcement flags, waving them as the procession passed by. They told Spectrum Bay News 9 it was important for them to pay their respects to a man who died protecting them.
Tom Colbert retired in 2009 from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and now prints signs reading “Back the Blue” and “We support law enforcement." He places them around town to show the men and women behind the badge that they are supported.
“It’s tough,” he said. “It hurts because it’s the first one in the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office history line of [duty] death of a deputy. So it kinda hits close to home and kind of senseless and tragic and sad.”
Along the road, first responders and firefighters saluted the fallen deputy. Residents said he could have been one of their loved ones.
“My family is law enforcement and this really hit home because I’ve always been supportive of law enforcement and knowing that was Pinellas County Deputy, that’s really close,” Clearwater resident
Vangeli said
Some parents, like Rachel Pearson, even brought their kids along, too.
“I think it shows respect to the community and it teaches the boys on how much the police enforcement is not against you, they are there to help you,” she said.
Jeffrey Harding said he felt it was important for his grandson to witness this as well.
“Makes me feel proud there’s this many people. This is a very small crowd, but as you drive up and down you’ll see many, many crowds.”
The procession began at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office on Ulmerton road and traveled along U.S. 19 before reaching a funeral home on Bartlet Road in Pasco County.
In front of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, is a memorial with a cruiser at its heart was surrounded by passers-by, all paying their respects to Magli.
As for the person accused of ending his life, the Sheriff’s Office arrested 33-year-old Robert Allen Holzaepfel. His charges include first-degree murder, DUI manslaughter, driving while license suspended or revoked, leaving the scene of a crash, violation of probation, and aggravated fleeing and eluding.