Florida deputy who killed family, self was once named ‘Officer of the Year,' talked about depression in call

Terry Strawn, once named "Officer of the Year," spoke about depression in his last radio transmission. (Facebook)

A Florida sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot his wife, daughter and granddaughter before turning the gun on himself was once named “Officer of the Year” and spoke about how “depression was real” during his last radio transmission to his colleagues Wednesday morning.

Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputy Terry Strawn, 58, killed himself early Wednesday after he fatally shot his wife, Theresa Strawn, 54, and granddaughter Londyn Strawn, 6, in their home before heading to a second residence to kill his daughter, Courtney Strawn.

After the triple slaying, Strawn got on the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office’s main radio channel just after 6:30 a.m. and spoke about “how much he loved the sheriff’s office” but was struggling with personal issues himself, Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a news conference.

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“During his radio transmission, [he] wanted to make sure that we all took care of each other, that we knew that depression was real. [He] alluded to the fact that he was struggling with some health and financial issues,” Chronister said.

“He indicated that he was losing everything and at one point said that he had to go,” the sheriff added. “He appreciated all the help, but he had to go. He wanted to go be with his family.”

Three deputies, as well as a communications supervisor on the radio, attempted to talk Strawn out of the suicide, but the 58-year-old ultimately pulled the trigger while his colleagues watched near Plant City High School.

Chronister said there were no indications Strawn would carry out the killings or that he was struggling. Strawn, who had been with the department since 1991, then retired two years ago and was hired back, was described as a deputy who received “glowing” recommendations. He was rehired over the summer to help improve security in local elementary schools, Tampa Bay Times reported.

"He had done a wonderful job. Phenomenal. When we hired him back, he went through an extensive background and psychological testing," the sheriff said. “He was an exemplary employee. Again, he had just learned that we were going to keep him and retain his employment in a permanent status. He was extremely grateful (and) indicated that ‘Christmas came early.'"

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Strawn was named the "Officer of the Year" in 2009 and applauded for helping to remove criminals off Florida streets.

"Deputy Strawn is persistent, leaving no stone unturned in his pursuit of the lawbreakers," then-Sheriff David Gee said, according to the Tampa Bay Times. "Recently he arrested a fugitive and an armed robbery suspect after a traffic stop. His high rate of success in the location and capture of numerous suspects has earned him this year's top honor in east Hillsborough County."

According to local media archives, he and another deputy shot and killed a man in the line of duty in 2004. The man pointed a metal and plastic tool at the officers as they tried to arrest him during a domestic violence call. Fearing the object was a gun, the deputies fired their weapons.

Chronister said he was briefly suspended in 1998 for defacing sheriff's office property and was disciplined in 2016 for two traffic crashes.

Although no financial issues came up during Strawn’s recent background check, the deputy and his wife filed in 2011 for bankruptcy protection in federal court.

This is the second time a Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputy was involved in a murder-suicide in recent months. On Sept. 24, a deputy killed his wife and then himself while the couple's four children were at home.

Following Wednesday’s tragic events, Chronister urged people struggling with depression or other issues to ask for help.

“We have to change the culture. We have to make sure that everyone knows it’s ok to ask for help,” the sheriff said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.