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Condolences pour in for Gilchrist County deputies

Deputies outside the Ace China restaurant salute two of their own who were killed by a gunman.

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.

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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."

“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.

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 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.

Agencies from as far away as New York also shared their condolences:

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.”


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