Photo from Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Trooper Joseph Bullock

End of Watch: Feb. 5, 2020.

The Florida police officer killed in the line of duty Wednesday morning was a former Warren resident and son of a former Warren County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy.

“It is with sorrow and a heavy heart that we pass along tragic news,” Warren County Sheriff Ken Klakamp said Thursday. “On Feb. 5, 2020, Trooper Joseph Bullock, a 19-year veteran of the Florida Highway Patrol was shot and killed in the line of duty.”

Bullock, 42, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, was fatally shot by a stranded motorist he stopped to help.

“Trooper Bullock, while on patrol, stopped on I-95 in Martin County, Fla., to assist a disabled motorist,” Klakamp said. “While at the scene, the motorist shot and killed Trooper Bullock. A passing police officer observed the incident, stopped and engaged the suspect, killing him.”

“The tragic death of Trooper Bullock is extremely hard on the deputies and staff of the Sheriff’s Office,” Klakamp said. “Trooper Bullock’s father (Jon) is the former Warden and Chief Deputy of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.”

Klakamp said he remembers Joey and his sisters as youngsters who were “in and out” of the Sheriff’s Office with their father.

Florida Highway Patrol Col. Gene Spaulding and Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) Executive Director Terry Rhodes issued the following statement on Wednesday. “Today, the entire Florida Highway Patrol and FLHSMV family is heartbroken as we mourn the tragic loss of Trooper Joseph Bullock, a nearly 19-year veteran of the Florida Highway Patrol who chose to make selflessly serving and protecting others his life’s work. Please keep his family and his team members in your prayers.”

“Trooper Bullock lists his hometown as Clarendon, Pa.,” Klakamp said. “Trooper Bullock was born in Warren County and started his education in the Warren County School District at Allegheny Valley Elementary School. He attended school in Warren County until his family moved to Florida.”

“We ask that you keep Trooper Bullock, former Chief Deputy Bullock, his mother Valerie, and his sisters in your thoughts and prayers,” Klakamp said. “Anyone wishing to send cards or letters to the Bullock family may do so by sending them to the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, 407 Market St., Warren, PA, 16365. All letters and cards will be sent to the Bullock family in bulk to show our love and support of them.”

“Chief Jon, Val, and girls, know that you will always be part of our family,” Klakamp said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with you.”

“Our prayers are with Joe’s family and friends,” Conewango Township Police Chief Jason Peters said. “Though we did not know him personally, we do know many of his family and friends that loved and admired him deeply.”

“The law enforcement community is grieving the loss of a brother today, but we will prevail with many prayers,” Warren County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #83 President and Youngsville Borough Police Chief Todd Mineweaser said. “God called him home. I would like his family to know that our Warren County Law Enforcement brothers and sisters are praying for them.”

“I did not know him personally but I do know that he was a sheepdog protecting and serving the flock on a daily basis because of his love for others,” Mineweaser said. “His father was also a member of the Law Enforcement Community as he worked with our current Sheriff Ken Klakamp.”

“Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called the Children of God,” Peters quoted. “May God bless and keep you, Joe.”

“Trooper Bullock, Rest in Peace, we’ll take it from here. God bless you. You are our hero.”