End of Watch
Deputy K-9 Leo fearlessly charged toward someone who was threatening several MSCO deputies with a gun. Unfortunately, during the confrontation, the suspect was able to shoot Leo before the deputies returned fire, killing the suspect. Leo gave his best at that moment to protect those deputies and especially his handler.
As you can imagine, it’s been a difficult time for all of the deputies at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office... Leo received the highest level of treatment from the UF Veterinarians. Their staff treated Leo as he was transported from Ocala to Gainesville. Sheriff Woods thanked Marion County Fire Rescue for transporting Leo, as well as the Ocala Police Department, the Florida Highway Patrol, and the Gainesville Police for helping clear traffic on Saturday as Leo was rushed to Gainesville. Despite getting the absolute best care, on Tuesday Leo succumbed to his injuries and we lost a faithful servant of Marion County. He belongs to this community. He was purchased with donations made by our citizens. Please keep the Marion County Sheriff’s K-9 units in your thoughts as they are feeling this the most this week. The relationship between the handlers and their k-9 partners is strong and to lose one so violently is going to be felt deeply for quite a while.
Ocala Wetland Recharge Park’s New Open-Air Pavilion Opening Soon
The City of Ocala will be hosting a grand opening for the new open-air pavilion at Ocala Wetland Recharge Park tomorrow February 23, from 9 to 11 a.m., at 2015 NW 21st Street. The event, celebrating the pavilion's completion and the park's addition to the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, is open to the public and will feature a ceremony, guided walks, an electronic scavenger hunt, and refreshments. For more information, contact the City of Ocala Water Resources Department at 352-351-6772.
Marion County Storm Spotters Needs You!
Do you ever feel like you know when a dangerous storm is coming? Or do you have an interest in reading the sky to know what’s heading your way next?
The National Weather Service is offering a free SKYWARN Storm Spotter class in Marion County to educate residents on identifying severe weather warning signs.
Scheduled for February 28 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., the class will take place at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Operations Center in Ocala. This initiative aims to equip volunteers, including emergency personnel and concerned citizens, with the knowledge to report severe weather, contributing to the safety and preparedness of the community.
The training will cover thunderstorm development, storm structure, identification of severe weather features, reporting protocols, and safety measures. For registration and more details, visit the National Weather Service's SKYWARN Storm Spotter Class webpage.
