Chief Derrick Diggs of the Fort Myers Police Department in Florida sadly reports the death of Officer Adam Jobbers-Miller.
Officer Jobbers-Miller, 29, was shot while he was attempting to apprehend a suspect that was involved in a theft at a local gas station. Jobbers-Miller had responded to the gas station on an initial call that a subject was harassing patrons. Later it was learned that the suspect had stolen a cellphone from a vehicle at the location.
As responding officers arrived, Jobbers-Miller observed the suspect a short distance from the station fleeing the scene. Jobbers-Miller blocked his escape, confronted him and attempted to take him into custody. During the arrest, the suspect fought back, brandished a firearm and shot the officer in the head.
The suspect then fled back to the gas station and barricaded himself inside with employees and patrons also inside the store.
Other officers cornered the suspect and returned fire after the suspect shot at them. The suspect was taken into custody and transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Officer Jobbers-Miller was transported to Lee Memorial Hospital Trauma Center by another officer and underwent immediate emergency surgery. He remained in the neurological intensive care unit until his condition deteriorated and he passed away a week following the shooting.
It is with a heavy heart that we inform our community that Ft. Myers Police Officer Adam Jobbers-Miller has passed away as a result of the injuries sustained on Saturday, July 21st. Please continue to pray for Officer Jobbers-Miller’s family, friends and our entire FMPD Family pic.twitter.com/sz1U5huO5a
— Fort Myers Police (@fortmyerspolice) July 29, 2018
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is conducting the investigation at the request of the Fort Myers Police Department. Jobbers-Miller is the sixth officer from the department to be killed in the line of duty.
“It’s a very low time right now for our city and for the Miller family,” said Mayor Randy Henderson. “We need to stay intensely focused on the family and their support. This will serve as a reminder to us all – first responders, law enforcement officers face these challenges every day. We love them and respect them and at this time we embrace all of them.”
“Our hearts are heavy to learn of the passing of Officer Jobbers-Miller,” Gov. Rick Scott said late Saturday in a statement. “Police officers like Adam Jobbers-Miller put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe. My wife, Ann, and I are praying for his family and everyone in the entire Lee County law enforcement community this evening.”
Jobbers-Miller served the Ft. Myers Police Department for three years. Prior to joining the agency he served the Wayne, N.J. Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter.
On Friday evening in Wayne, the Fire Co. 2 house Adam Jobbers-Miller once called home was packed for a vigil, as family and friends held candles and remembered the former township resident who joined the department before he moved to Florida to continue his dream of helping others.
“When Adam joined [Co. 2] in 2009, it was an honor being his chief and to watch him grow into such a devoted, dedicated firefighter,” said Fire Co. 2 Chief John Gabriel.
Jobbers-Miller feared nothing, said Gabriel. The drive and motivation led Jobbers-Miller to join the Fort Myers Police Department. He is survived by his parents and siblings.
The Cape Coral Police Department is extremely saddened about the passing of FMPD Officer Adam Jobbers-Miller. We are all family and this hurts us all. Please pray for and keep Adam’s family, friends, community, and the FMPD family in your thoughts. pic.twitter.com/PydOpGG07H
— Cape Coral Police (@CapePD) July 28, 2018
Related:
Officer Adam Jobbers-Miller is gone, but will never be forgotten.
EOW: Saturday, July 28, 2018.
