Slain Florida officer awarded agency’s highest honour

ORLANDO, Fla. – A slain Florida police officer has been recognized with her department’s highest honours.

Lt. Debra Clayton was fatally shot in January while trying to arrest a man suspected of killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend. On Wednesday, the Orlando Police Department posthumously commended Clayton with the Purple Heart Award and the Award of Valor.

The agency also honoured officer Branden Thornton and Jeremy Sisk and Cpl. Robert Schellhorn with the Award of Merit for their response to the shooting scene on Jan. 9.

Markeith Loyd was captured after a massive manhunt. He faces multiple charges for the deaths of 42-year-old Clayton and 24-year-old Sade Dixon, who was shot last December.

The case prompted a legal skirmish over the death penalty between the state attorney and Florida Gov. Rick Scott.