MARION COUNTY – The Martin County Sheriff’s Office released the final moments leading up to the death of State Trooper Joseph Bullock as he was helping a broken down motorist on I-95.
According to investigators Trooper Bullock was assisting a broken down vehicle near mille-marker 107. According to the timeline released on Friday by the Marin County Sheriff’s Office, Bullock makes contact with the driver of the disabled vehicle identified as 28-year old-Franklin Reed III.
“Nothing I answer will change the fact that the murder of Trooper Bullock was unprovoked premeditated murder on the side of I-95,” said Marion County Sheriff William Snyder.
Dash cam footage shows Trooper Bullock stay on scene with Reed after he calls a towing company the e morning of February 5th. Sheriff Snyder says they believe Reed was upset with the tow bill and shoots Trooper Bullock in the head.
“The tow truck company dispatcher relays on the 911 call that Reed was upset about the tow bill,” said Sheriff Snyder. “Although we will never know with certainty the suspect’s motive, it is possible that the tow bill dispute played a role in the homicide.”
Sheriff Snyder says Reed then began shooting at the tow truck driver, while other motorist attempted to help Trooper Bullock. One of those motorists is an off-duty Riviera Beach police officer Detective Jemel Headings.
“I got a Florida state trooper down,” said Det. Heading to a 911 dispatcher.
In the 911 call you can hear gunshots in the background. Investigators say a standoff between Reed and Det. Headings began with Reed firing at least two rounds.
“Headings returned fire with multiple rounds, one of which did strike Reed in the center of his chest,” said Sheriff Snyder. “That wound would have ultimately proven fatal. But the round that ended Reed’s life was, in fact, self-inflicted.”
Trooper Bullock was laid to rest February 13th at the Sarasota National Cemetery and his funeral service at Bayside Community Church was attended by thousands.
Sheriff’s Snyder says investigators found out Reed committed retail theft in Palm Bay the day before he shot and killed Trooper Bullock.