Deputy John W. Greeney III, aged 47, tragically lost his life on February 17, 1990, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Deputy Greeney, who had joined the Broward Sheriff's Office in 1986 after serving in the United States Air Force, was responding to an armed robbery at a fast-food restaurant west of downtown Fort Lauderdale when he was fatally shot. His dedication to law enforcement was evident throughout his career, having graduated from Broward County's 121st Police Academy with honors and serving
as a field training officer.
The incident occurred when Deputy Greeney and his partner responded to a silent alarm at a Church’s Fried Chicken restaurant. Upon arrival, they surprised two robbery suspects, leading to a confrontation that resulted in Deputy Greeney being shot and killed. His partner, Deputy Robert Sallustio, was also wounded in the encounter. The suspects, Wayne Coleman and Lancelot Armstrong, were later apprehended in Maryland a day after the shooting.
Following their arrest, Coleman and Armstrong were indicted on charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and armed robbery by a Broward grand jury. The legal proceedings were swift, with both men being held without bail. Armstrong was ordered held without bail during an appearance before a Broward County Court judge, while Coleman faced similar legal constraints. The prosecution, led by Broward State Attorney Michael Satz, presented a strong case against the two men, with testimonies from Deputy Sallustio and other witnesses.
The convictions of Coleman and Armstrong brought some measure of justice for Deputy Greeney's family and colleagues. One of the men is serving a life sentence, while the other is awaiting execution on Death Row. Deputy Greeney's sacrifice is remembered with honor, and he was interred with full honors at Arlington National Cemetery, continuing a proud family tradition of service in law enforcement.
