More than two years after Orlando police Officer Kevin Valencia was shot in the line of duty, he died Monday surrounded by loved ones — and after visits from fellow officers through an open window — at a Lake County hospice facility, OPD Chief Orlando Rolón said.
His death left family, friends and former squad members shocked, Rolón said, especially after they’d seen signs of his improvement just months ago, with him responding to some questions and even kissing his wife.
But last week, Rolón said, he was transferred from the rehabilitation center where he’d been working toward recovery to a hospital, then the hospice facility. Rolón declined to comment further on Valencia’s medical history or the cause of his death.
Rolón first announced Valencia’s death late Monday on social media, and later said a public ceremony will celebrate his life next Wednesday, March 24, at 11 a.m. First Baptist Orlando church.
“He was, and is, a hero to us, and we will treat him as such,” Rolón said.
Valencia, a three-year OPD veteran, was left in a coma after he was shot in the head during a domestic violence call in June 2018. A woman called 911 after she said she escaped her violent boyfriend, Gary Wayne Lindsey Jr., who was still inside their apartment with her four children.
After police arrived, Lindsey fired through the apartment door as Valencia attempted to force his way inside, striking him. After a day-long standoff, officers found the four children dead inside, as well as Lindsey, who had shot and killed himself.
While Valencia’s prognosis was initially bleak, Rolón said he surpassed early expectations and continued to fight to improve. The police chief thanked the community for its ongoing support and prayers, which he said were part of the reason Valencia held on so long.
“The toll that it took on his body was just too much for him to be able to overcome,” Rolón said.
Valencia leaves behind his wife Meghan, and two children, Kaleb and Kolton, who requested privacy after his death. Rolón said his agency would continue to support the Valencia family in any way possible.
“They are destroyed,” Rolón said. “… Any particular need the family will have moving forward, someone will be here handling that task.”
On Tuesday morning, Orlando police officers parked an agency vehicle with a memorial wreath in front of the department’s West South Street entrance, where Rolón said members of the public are welcome to come to express grief or gratitude for Valencia’s service.
In remarks Tuesday after the wreath ceremony, Rolón also mentioned the on-duty death of Tampa police Master Patrol Officer Jesse Madsen, whose funeral was occurring almost simultaneously. Madsen was killed last week trying to stop a wrong-way driver on the interstate.
“These officers, when they put on their uniform, when they set out to perform their tasks, [it’s] never guaranteed that they may be able to come back home to their family,” Rolón said. “… We need to protect our officers, we need to give them the tools and the ability to protect themselves against harm.”
While talking about Valencia’s and Madsen’s death, Rolón brought up his concern with recent efforts across the country to eliminate qualified immunity for officers, a legal doctrine that protects government workers in most instances from being held personally liable for what they do on the job. The protection limits the circumstances under which people can sue officers for wrongdoing.
Two Florida lawmakers have recently filed bills to limit qualified immunity for law enforcement, though the legislation hasn’t yet gained momentum.
“I think our country needs to evaluate… what changes need to happen in the law enforcement profession, but not go overboard and cause our officers to second guess their actions,” Rolón said. “When you start talking about doing away with qualified immunity, … that could hinder the ability for an officer to go out there and perform their tasks.”
He called efforts to limit qualified immunity, as have passed in Colorado and Connecticut, “irresponsible,” though he didn’t directly link the issue to the incidents that led to Valencia’s or Madsen’s deaths.
An OPD internal review of Valencia’s shooting found the sergeant who authorized him to kick down the door violated agency policy and the Fourth Amendment. Sgt. Amanda White acted with “carelessness” in making the decision, the review said. She told internal investigators she sent Valencia in because she thought something was wrong inside the apartment.
OPD awarded Valencia a purple heart during his retirement ceremony from the agency this fall, and made him an honorary K-9 officer, which had been his dream job at the agency, Rolón said.
The flags at the Orlando Police Department were flying at half-staff Tuesday in Valencia’s honor.
