MENU
SEARCHA 37-year-old former athlete and coach hoping to become a Marion County, FL, sheriff's deputy fell ill after an agility test Tuesday and died Wednesday night at an Ocala hospital.
Dondre Williams, a former professional basketball player in Europe, died last week after taking the agility test to become a Marion County, FL, Sheriff's deputy. (Photo: Facebook)
A 37-year-old former athlete and coach hoping to become a Marion County, FL, sheriff's deputy fell ill after an agility test Tuesday and died Wednesday night at an Ocala hospital.
Sheriff's Office spokesman Lt. Ryan Robbins told the Ocala Star Banner Thursday that Dondre Williams, of Green Cove Springs, died at Munroe Regional Medical Center. Authorities did not release a cause of death.
On Tuesday, Williams had just passed the agency's physical agility test — one of the requirements an applicant must successfully complete before becoming a deputy — when he asked for help. Officials said he was rushed to the hospital.
The course Williams completed entails running a mile in 10 minutes; performing 25 push-ups in a minute and 25 sit-ups in a minute; and running 300 meters in 1 minute and 10 seconds. There are breaks between each station. A candidate should complete the tasks in about 30 minutes, according to sheriff's officials.
According to his Marion County Sheriff's Office job application, Williams, who was married, was a member of multiple juvenile justice programs and had led community outreach efforts.
Williams graduated from high school in Jacksonville and attended West Virginia State University, where he graduated in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. He played basketball there, and, after graduation, played professionally in Europe.
From 2008-10, Williams was a strength coach at the University of Florida, according to his paperwork.
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 →
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 →
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 →
Join us for an inside look at how agencies are enhancing frontline decision-making with visual intelligence that goes beyond the plate. This session will show how pairing LPR data with live camera feeds delivers faster, safer, and more coordinated responses—on everything from stolen vehicles to active BOLOs.
Read More →
In this video, hear from Dustin Mowery, a product specialist at Team Wendy, as he discusses how to best use a patrol vehicle for cover.
Read More →
Whether your department is focused on improving transparency or rebuilding community confidence, this ebook offers real examples and practical strategies to help. Learn how data-driven insights and modern fleet technologies can strengthen accountability, support officer safety, and enhance public trust.
Read More →
While a patrol vehicle offers some cover protection when taking fire, remain mobile and don’t stick to one piece of cover indefinitely. Dustin Mowery, of Team Wendy, shares what he teaches about using vehicles as cover.
Read More →
Recruit Officer Jon-Marques Psalms, 30, reportedly suffered a medical emergency after completing a training exercise on Wednesday August 20, 2025, at the Academy.
Read More →The webinar titled “Beyond the Plate: Real-Time Video Intelligence for Police Operations” will show how pairing LPR data with live camera feeds delivers faster, safer, and more coordinated responses on everything from stolen vehicles to active BOLOs.
Read More →
