Vigil held for fallen Kissimmee police officers

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — A vigil was held Sunday afternoon for the two Kissimmee police officers shot and killed in the line of duty Friday night.

The Hope Mission Church hosted the prayer vigil near the intersection of Palmway and East Cypress streets, where Officer Matthew Baxter and Sgt. Sam Howard were shot during a scuffle.

Baxter and Howard were both taken to Osceola Regional Medical Center after being shot. Baxter died late Friday while Howard succumbed to his injuries Saturday, police said.

About 100 attended the vigil, including the Kissimmee mayor and police chief. Officers hugged each other and community members as they mourned.

"They are questioning and I can see it in their face and I didn't make anyone of them come. They came on their own so that tells you how much they needed this," said Kissimmee Police Chief Jeff O'Dell.

"More for me it's what the officers needed to see and realize that the community does love and support them," he added.

Everett Miller, a 45-year-old former Marine, was arrested at a nearby bar Friday and charged with first-degree murder in Baxter’s death. Charges are still pending for Howard’s death.

Miller had his first appearance before a judge Sunday on charges of premeditated first-degree murder, carrying a concealed weapon and resisting arrest without violence.

The judge denied him bail.

Kissimmee police interviewed a person of interest in relation to the investigation of the two officers' deaths.

Detectives said they found and spoke with Maribel Gonzalez King, but would not provide further details why.

Police emphasized that King is not a suspect. She is known to frequent the McLaren Circle area, where the shooting took place.

Cox Media Group