Mourners honor slain OPD officer
As Clayton is honored, accused killer still on run
As friends, relatives and colleagues prepare to lay slain Orlando police Master Sgt. Debra Clayton to rest, the search for her killer enters its sixth day.
On Friday, Joel Greenberg, Seminole County’s new tax collector, offered to double the $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Markeith Loyd, the man investigators say shot Clayton.
But Barb Bergin, executive director of Central Florida Crimeline, said the anonymous tip line doesn’t plan to take Greenberg up on his offer.
“If it didn’t work at $60,000, or $100,000, we don’t know that a significant increase will help,” she said.
Bergin said Crimeline has been overwhelmed, receiving nearly 1,000 tips about Loyd, 41, since Clayton’s killing Monday morning. The agency typically receives 1,000 calls in a month.
“This isn’t not about getting tips,” she said. “It’s about getting the right tip.”
On Friday night, hundreds of mourners paid their respects to Clayton at a viewing at First Baptist Orlando.
Two members of the Orlando police honor guard stood on each side of her casket as law enforcement officers and residents walked by. Some shed tears, while others saluted or said a prayer.
Clayton’s body was dressed in her Orlando police uniform in a flag-draped casket with “Wife and mother” written on the inside along with her name, rank, birth date and date of her death.
Orlando police Chief John Mina and two deputy chiefs greeted mourners as they walked out of the sanctuary. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and City Commissioner Regina Hill also attended the visitation.
One person who came to pay her respects was Gina Riley. She said Clayton was a family friend and a mentor to her niece. She called Clayton a sweet woman who will be missed.
“It’s heartbreaking to hear what happened,” Riley said. “Even with the cops, there was a lot of pulling of the tissues because they had all the memories of her and knew the impact she had on the community. How she encouraged people was very inspiring.”
Officers from as far away as New York and California came to the viewing and are expected to be at the funeral, scheduled for 2 p.m. today at First Baptist Orlando. She will be buried at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Gotha.
On Thursday night and Friday, the search for Loyd continued in Haines City, where investigators say he may have have relatives. Investigators have combed some 100 places, and police continue to work with the U.S. Marshal’s Office and the FBI.
Mina said detectives will not let up until Loyd is caught.
Loyd is accused of killing Clayton when she confronted him at an Orlando Wal-Mart. Clayton got a tip that Loyd, who has been wanted since December in the slaying of his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon, 24, was at the store.
Police say Loyd immediately opened fire on Clayton, 42, then shot her again after she fell. He escaped in a carjacked vehicle. A massive manhunt ensued and a second law enforcement officer, Orange County Deputy Sheriff Norman Lewis, 35, was killed in a motorcycle crash while participating in the search.
Lewis’ funeral originally was scheduled for Friday but had to be pushed back to 2:30 p.m. Sunday at First Baptist Orlando because of a family emergency, the Sheriff ’s Office said.
Greenberg said his wife knew Lewis, and since getting into public service, he’s started forming a relationship with law officers and has seen how they put their lives on the line every day.
He said he is “just amazed that we haven’t caught him by now,” but is confident authorities will find Loyd. He offered his own money in the hope that it might lead to someone coming forward with a good tip.
“This person needs to be caught and caught soon,” Greenberg said. “And if I can help in any way whatsoever, I will.”
Anyone with information about Loyd’s whereabouts can call Crimeline at 800-423-8477.