POLICE Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

21-Year-Old FL Deputy Killed by Friendly Fire During Warrant Service

Deputy Blane Lane had taken a “tactical position” outside of the suspect’s mobile home. Two other deputies had confronted the suspect who pointed a pistol at them.

October 4, 2022
21-Year-Old FL Deputy Killed by Friendly Fire During Warrant Service

PolK County Sheriff Grady Judd holds a photo of the suspect. He says her actions led to the blue-on-blue killing of Deputy Blane Lane. (Photo: Polk County SO/Facebook Video)

A 21-year-old Polk County (FL) Sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed early Tuesday morning during a warrant service operation. Sheriff Grady Judd said in an afternoon press conference that Deputy Blane Lane was hit when fellow deputies fired on the suspect.

Deputy Lane and three other deputies were serving a failure to appear warrant in Polk City around 3 a.m. when the incident occurred.

Ad Loading...

Lane had taken a “tactical position” outside of the suspect’s mobile home. Two other deputies had confronted the suspect who pointed a pistol at them.

When the deputies opened fire on the suspect, Cheryl Lynn Williams, she was hit twice but one of the rounds passed through the exterior wall striking Deputy Lane in the shoulder. It was discovered at the hospital that the bullet traveled into Lane’s chest cavity and he died.

Sheriff Judd said the gun Williams, 46, reportedly pointed at the deputies was a replica “BB gun.” He said he thinks she was attempting to commit “suicide by cop.”

Williams was transported to the hospital. She is expected to survive. Judd said she will be charged with second degree felony murder. She was originally wanted for failure to appear on possession of methamphetamine.

The sheriff said Williams had served nine years in Florida state prison for meth trafficking. He also said she had a long history of felony charges.

“It is our goal to see that she’s incarcerated for the rest of her natural life,” Judd said.

“She created this entire event,” Judd added. “She forced the shooting.”

Deputy Lane was the father of a three-year-old child.

Judd said the deputy had only eight-and-a-half months of experience on patrol. “He performed at a high level,” the sheriff said. “He was professional in every sense.”

The shooting is under investigation by a multiple jurisdiction team.

“This is a dangerous job,” Judd said. He added that Deputy Lane did “exactly what he should have done” by taking a position to prevent the suspect’s escape out of the mobile home and to prevent anyone else from coming in.

“This is a dangerous job,” Judd said several times during the press conference.

He said Polk County deputies are devastated by the tragedy.

“Words can’t adequately explain our grief,” the sheriff said, adding, “For me, this is like losing one of my own children.”

Ad Loading...

More Patrol

Thumbnail for POLICE video From theShow Floor: Traka
Patrolby Wayne ParhamOctober 30, 2025

From the Show Floor: Traka

Join POLICE as we visit with Steve Atkinson of Traka and learn about the company’s asset management cabinets and key lockers.

Read More →
image of conference stage top left, inset image of two men standing at right, and lower left logo for Team Wendy
PatrolOctober 29, 2025

Team Wendy Shares New DREW Data During Personal Armour Systems Symposium

Team Wendy shared data about DREW, a biofidelic helmet-test rig built to simulate real head-to-ground falls and capture both linear and rotational head motion, during the recent Personal Armour Systems Symposium in Belgium.

Read More →
Images for three athletes - discus, weightlifting, baseball, and inset image of San Diego highway sign and logo for 2026 US Police and Fire Championships.
PatrolOctober 28, 2025

2026 US Police and Fire Championships to Unite First Responders in San Diego for 59th Annual Event

The 2026 US Police and Fire Championships, featuring more than 35 Olympic-style events and new competitions, will return to San Diego, California.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Collage of police officers and a firefighter with FOX & Frends logo.
PatrolOctober 27, 2025

FOX News Channel’s FOX & Friends to Host Live Audience for National First Responders Day

In honor of National First Responders Day, FOX News Channel’s FOX & Friends will host a live audience made up of first responders and their families. Police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and other emergency personnel have been invited to attend the live program.

Read More →
patrolfinder - reducing crime thumbnail
SponsoredOctober 27, 2025

How One Police Department Cut Crime by 46% with Smarter Patrol Management

Discover how one police department cut crime nearly in half using smarter patrol data. This whitepaper breaks down the real-world strategy behind a 46% drop in vehicle thefts, improved officer safety, and stronger community visibility.

Read More →
black background with graphic image showing how police response times can be shortened and officer better informed.
PatrolOctober 26, 2025

Axon Ecosystem Advancements Connect Critical Moments of Public Safety Response

Last week, during IACP 2025, Axon unveiled what it called the next evolution of its connected public safety ecosystem. Key launches included Prepared by Axon, new Axon Assistant and Axon Air Drone as First Responder (DFR) capabilities, and Community Shield and Community Link.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Thumbnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips with a yellow headline that reads When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer Instead of Waiting for EMS?
Patrolby Wayne ParhamOctober 26, 2025

When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer Instead of Waiting for EMS?

Thumbnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips with a yellow headline that reads When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer Instead of Waiting for EMS?

Read More →
Safariland header photo
Sponsoredby David ReederOctober 22, 2025

Is Your Duty Holster Duty Rated?

The first – and worst – time I had to fight to keep my gun, my holster and duty belt held up far better than my training did.

Read More →
small pen like flashlight against a blue background with inset Streamlight logo.
PatrolOctober 22, 2025

Streamlight Releases the Ultra-Thin Wedge SL

Streamlight has launched the Wedge SL, an ultra-thin, USB-C rechargeable light designed for users who want pocketable power.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Thumbnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips episode More IACP from the Show Floor
Patrolby Wayne ParhamOctober 22, 2025

More IACP 2025 From the Show Floor

Watch expanded coverage of IACP 2025 as the POLICE Magazine team walks the aisles at the expo and shares what we found interesting on display for chiefs from across the country and around the world this week in Denver, Colorado.

Read More →