Private First Class Michael Shawn Latu

Private First Class Mike Latu was killed in a single-vehicle crash while responding to a call for service at 1:05 am.

His vehicle left the roadway on U.S. 76 and struck a bridge pillar underneath U.S. 501 Bypass.

PFC Latu had served with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office for five years and had previously served as a dispatcher.

In 2018 he was recognized as both Deputy of the Year and Patrolman of the Year.