Officer called a hero

Clayton is the first Orlando officer killed in the line of duty in a decade. The last was Al Gordon, who was shot during a robbery Oct. 4, 2007, the agency reported.

Clayton, who is survived by a husband and collegeage son, was one of the first officers to respond to the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in June that left 49 people dead and scores injured.

Mina called her a hero. “She gave her life for the community she loves.”

TaQueria Jones, a Walmart cashier, said Clayton checked out at her register minutes before the shooting.

“We talked about family, we talked about God,” Jones said.

While the suspect was still at large, the cashier and others planted flowers in a spot just feet from where Clayton was killed.

“I’m going to be out here every day to straighten them up. Every day,” Jones vowed.

Lewis, who had been with the Sheriff’s Office since March 2005, was a member of the motors/DUI unit.

Both Lewis and Clayton had degrees from the University of Central Florida.

“They are heroes and Knights forever, UCF President John Hitt said.

Deputies had been on the lookout for Lloyd for weeks because of a murder warrant: He’s accused of murdering his pregnant 24-year-old ex-girlfriend, Sade Dixon, on Dec. 13 and wounding her 26-year-old brother, Ronald Steward. They were shot at an Orange County home on Long Peak Drive.

Loyd has a long criminal record and served 10 years in prison and five years on probation for conspiracy with intent to distribute cocaine, according to federal court records.

“To lose two law enforcement officers on this Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is indeed a tragedy,” Demings said . ... “It’s a reminder that law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every single day to protect all of us.”

Gov. Rick Scott was in Orlando on Monday for a business meeting, but that was canceled and he joined Mina, Demings and other local officials at a morning news conference.