After a gunman fired through the window of a restaurant and fatally shot Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Noel Ramirez and Deputy Taylor Lindsey eating in a Trenton restaurant Thursday afternoon, condolences poured in from federal, state and local officials and agencies, including President Donald Trump.
My thoughts, prayers and condolences are with the families, friends and colleagues of the two @GCSOFlorida deputies (HEROES) who lost their lives in the line of duty today.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 19, 2018
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State officials, including Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi have issued statements about the killings, with the governor offering "any state support they may need."
Governor Rick Scott's Statement on the Shooting of Gilchrist County Deputy Sheriffs pic.twitter.com/3HLmd04xoa
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) April 20, 2018
“My heart breaks with the tragic news of two Gilchrist County deputies that were senselessly killed today while in the line of duty," Bondi wrote.
Our prayers go out to the brave deputies in Gilchrist County who died in service to our state. Please keep their families and the Sheriff's Dept in that close knit community in your thoughts.
— Adam Putnam (@adamputnam) April 19, 2018
The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office tweeted Sheriff David Shoar's comment: "It's a tragedy that no sheriff should ever have to face. Please let us know how we can help."
Other condolence messages came in from around Northeast Florida:
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office expresses its sincere condolences to the two Gilchrist County, FL deputies shot and killed in the line of duty today. Thoughts and prayers for the family, friends, and the entire Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office. @GCSOFlorida pic.twitter.com/qVsInjWhiF
— Jax Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO) April 19, 2018
Our agency sends our sincere condolences to the colleagues, community, friends and family of the two Gilchrist County deputies shot and killed in the line of duty today. Our hearts are truly broken for @GCSOFlorida. pic.twitter.com/zoUBRBy5r6
— Clay County Sheriff's Office, FL (@ccsofl) April 19, 2018
Two Gilchrist County Deputies were killed in the line of duty today and Nassau County SO would like to express our deepest condolences.
— Nassau County SO (@NCSO_FL) April 19, 2018
Our heartfelt prayers go out to the families, friends, community, and the entire Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office during this difficult time.
The Putnam County Sheriff's Office posted on Facebook that Sheriff Gator DeLoach was in Gilchrist County helping his counterpart there. "Please join us in prayer for the murdered deputies, their families and the entire Gilchrist County community!"
Messages of sympathy and solidarity also flooded in from around the state.
The Sheriffs of Florida stand united with @GCSOFlorida, Sheriff Bobby Schultz & his team today with the tragic news that two of his deputies were ambushed and murdered. We are humbled by the countless offers of assistance and we grieve together as one family. - @SheriffAdkinson
— Florida Sheriffs (@FLSheriffs) April 19, 2018
Terrible news today from Gilchrist County. Our deepest condolences go out to the two Gilchrist County officers shot and killed in the line of duty this afternoon. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the deputies as well as the GCSO Sheriff’s Office. pic.twitter.com/jM7ayZWQeD
— Pasco Sheriff (@PascoSheriff) April 19, 2018
We are heartbroken to learn that two Gilchrist County Sheriffs Office deputies were killed in the line of duty today. OPD stands in grief with their families and fellow deputies.
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) April 19, 2018
Agencies from as far away as New York also shared their condolences:
Our thoughts & prayers are with the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, the families of Sgt. Noel Ramirez, Deputy Taylor Lindsay & the community they were dedicated to serving.
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) April 20, 2018
Sgt. Ramirez and Deputy Lindsey were shot & killed in an ambush earlier today. #NeverForget pic.twitter.com/2Ik8u2mhB2
Many residents in the small town of Trenton have a close relationship with local law enforcement officers. Many said they personally know deputies by first and last name.
People who knew Sgt. Noel Ramirez and Deputy Taylor Lindsey had plenty of kind words to say about their hometown heroes. Both were active on social media where the community shared a continuous stream of support on Facebook:
“This is too close to home, a coward walked in and murdered a true friend of mine while he was eating. Taylor Lindsey I love you brother.”
“Was just joking around with both of you the other day.. Going to miss the laughs and friendship we had!! Some of the best Deputies around!! Hurts to say goodbye my GCSO brothers.. Until we meet again!”
“It’s like a terrible nightmare that I wish I’d wake up from. Love ya brothers, rest easy.”