Corporal Lemon Harvey, a 34-year-old African American male, was tragically shot and killed on December 15, 1981, in Thonotosassa, Florida. Corporal Harvey, who served with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office for eight years, was ambushed in the driveway of his home as he exited his patrol car at the end of his shift. The attack was premeditated, and he was found by children on their way to school the following morning.
The investigation revealed that the 36-year-old suspect who shot
Corporal Harvey was hired by another man, aged 38, to carry out the murder over a personal matter. Both suspects were arrested, charged, and subsequently convicted of first-degree murder. They were sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years. In 2022, both suspects were up for parole but were denied.
Corporal Harvey's death was a significant loss to the community and his family, which included his wife and two children. The case highlighted the dangers law enforcement officers face and the impact of such tragedies on their families and communities. The legal proceedings ensured that justice was served, with both perpetrators receiving life sentences for their roles in the murder.
