Ocala PD Chief Greg Graham dies in Oct. 25, Dunnellon, FL airplane crash
Chief Greg Graham and his vehicle in front of OPD, courtesy of OPD.
About 11:30 am, first responders were dispatched to the crash site, near the 9700 block of SW 140th Avenue, where Chief Graham was identified as the sole occupant of the plane, which was his personal aircraft. He was pronounced deceased on scene. The plane crash is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.
On Monday, Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn ordered that all flags be displayed at half-staff, in honor of Chief Graham. Graham's agency vehicle, decorated with flowers, was parked in front of the Ocala Police Department as a tribute to Chief Graham, who has been with the Ocala Police Department since the 1980s and has served as its leader since 2012.
The Ocala Police Department posted a moving message on its Facebook page, "It is with the heaviest of hearts that we grieve our leader, Chief Greg Graham. Chief Graham was a mentor to many and inspirational to all. We have had the great privilege to have called him a friend, a boss, and a part of our family for well over thirty years. He was the heart of the Department. His heart beat for Ocala, for his community, for his department, and especially for his family. We will miss his passion for community and law enforcement; his candor and personality; his strong leadership; and most definitely his smile. The coming days and weeks will be tough for the Department, but please also keep the Graham family in your thoughts and prayers while still respecting their privacy. 'To Amy and the kids: Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss. May you be comforted by the outpouring of love surrounding you. Words cannot even begin to express our sorrow. May your heart and soul find peace and comfort during this time. We are here for you always.'"