Slain Florida Officers Ambushed by Gunman Hiding In Attic
Officer Jeffrey Yaslowitz and Sgt. Tom Baitinger were providing backup to a U.S. Marshal, when they were fatally shot. The shooter was later found dead, after the house was partially dismantled using heavy machinery.
St. Petersburg PD's Sgt. Tom Baitinger (left) and Officer Jeffrey Yaslowitz were ambushed by a suspect hiding in an attic. Photo courtesy of St. Petersburg PD.
Two St. Petersburg (Fla.) Police officers were killed Monday, while backing up a U.S. Marshal serving a warrant for the apprehension of a sexual offender.
Officer Jeffrey Yaslowitz, 39, and Sgt. Tom Baitinger, 48, accompanied a U.S. Marshal, who was shot twice during the same incident and is expected to survive. The officers arrived at the residence of Hydra Lacy Jr., and were let in by a woman who told them Lacy was armed and hiding in the attic.
After talking with Lacy, the Marshal entered the attic and was shot in his ballistic vest. Lacy then fired at the officers, striking Yaslowitz first, and then Baitinger, who was providing cover.
The agency deployed an armored tactical vehicle to extract Yaslowitz. Lacy was found dead, after the house was partially dismantled using heavy machinery.
Sgt. Baitinger became the first St. Petersburg officer killed on duty since 1980. Officer Yaslowitz had just finished his shift and was driving home, when he decided to respond to the call.
"Our community has suffered a loss today," St. Petersburg Chief Chuck Harmon said during a somber press conference outside of Bayfront Medical Center.
More Patrol
5.11 Expands Professional Services Line with Premium, Performance-Driven Scrubs Designed for Healthcare Professionals
The launch of high-performance medical scrubs marks another major expansion of 5.11’s growing Professional Services category, enabling hospitals and healthcare systems to outfit a wide range of roles.
Read More →
SOG Knives Unveils 250th Anniversary Limited Edition Fixed Blade
SOG Knives has debuted its 250th Anniversary Limited Edition SEAL FX Fixed Blade, and only 250 are available. It features an advanced 4.3-inch S35VN steel blade and a tough glass-reinforced nylon handle.
Read More →
POLICE Product Test: Streamlight Wedge SL
The Streamlight Wedge SL is a high-performance light for inspection or administrative tasks that features USB-C charging and an output up to 500 lumens in a compact package.
Read More →
NLEOMF Officer of the Month Saved Child from Burning Vehicle
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund named Officer Michael Jaycox of the San Jose Police Department (California) as the Officer of the Month for May 2026. Read more about Jaycox’s heroic actions.
Read More →
Garmont Tactical Introduces the Contact Collection for LE
Garmont Tactical has launched its Contact Collection, a new lineup of law-enforcement duty boots featuring 4-inch and 6-inch options, including waterproof models.
Read More →
Folds of Honor Celebrates Graduation Season as 1,613 Military and First Responder Family Scholars Earn Their Degrees
Every Folds of Honor scholar graduating in the Class of 2026 carries a story starting with sacrifice. Folds of Honor ensures it doesn’t end there. Since 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 73,000 educational scholarships to military and first responder families.
Read More →
Why Tennessee’s New Deadly Force Law Matters Beyond Tennessee
Tennessee’s new deadly force law is more limited than many may realize. Effective July 1, 2026, the law applies to a person who is not engaged in conduct that would constitute a felony or a Class A misdemeanor and who is in a place where the person lawfully resides. But it could have far-reaching influence.
Read More →
When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer by Police Vehicle?
Time-sensitive injuries like penetrating trauma mean a wounded officer needs to reach a trauma center as soon as possible, and in some cases, that means transporting by police vehicle rather than waiting for EMS. What are the factors to consider in making that transport decision?
Read More →
5 Things to Know When Buying Backup Lights for Patrol Use
What is the value of a backup light, and what do you need to consider when selecting one? These smaller lights are invaluable as a secondary or special-purpose light and can be easily carried in a pocket or clipped to MOLLE gear, a key chain, shirt, or a vest.
Read More →
363 Fallen Officers Honored During National Police Week
In case you missed NELOMF’s annual Candlelight Vigil, here are all 363 names of the fallen officers whose names were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this year.
Read More →