Theresa Strawn, aged 54, was tragically killed on December 19, 2018, in a harrowing incident that shocked the Valrico, FL community. The perpetrator was her husband, Terry Strawn, a 58-year-old Hillsborough County Sheriff's Deputy. On that fateful morning, Terry Strawn fatally shot Theresa at their Plant City home, along with their 6-year-old granddaughter, Londyn Strawn. He then proceeded to his daughter Courtney Strawn's house, where he also took her life.
After committing these heinous acts, Terry Strawn radioed his department to report the murders before taking his own life in front of fellow deputies who had arrived at the scene and pleaded with him to reconsider.
The investigation revealed that Terry Strawn had been struggling with health and financial issues, which may have contributed to his actions. Despite his long and commendable career in law enforcement, having been named Deputy of the Year in 2009 and recently rehired as a school resource officer, these personal struggles seemed to have overwhelmed him. The incident was classified as a murder-suicide, with no other suspects involved. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office conducted a thorough investigation, but no further arrests or litigations were reported in connection with the case. The community was left grappling with the senseless loss of innocent lives and the tragic downfall of a once-respected deputy.
