Published on Friday, January 12, 2007
in the WESH News

FHP Trooper Shot, Killed During Traffic Stop

LAKE PLACID, Fla. -- A Florida Highway Patrol trooper was shot and killed during a routine traffic stop in Highlands County Friday.

Sgt. Nicholas G. Sottile II, 48, was shot in Highlands County just north of the city of Lake Placid at 3:22 p.m.

Authorities were searching for two occupants of a light-colored "Toyota Camry-type vehicle," who were last seen leaving the area, one on foot and the other in the vehicle, the FHP said in a statement.

The shooting occurred on U.S. Highway 27 between Sebring and Lake Placid.

Sottile was shot while attempting to make a traffic stop. Authorities were searching for two culprits who were last seen heading north, The News-Sun in Sebring reported.

Sottile was pronounced dead after being flown to Florida Hospital Lake Placid, said Kathy Albritton, spokeswoman for the Florida Hospital Heartland Medical Center, which owns the Lake Placid hospital.

About 400 law enforcement officers were searching for the two people, Sgt. Jorge Delahoz, Florida Highway Patrol spokesman, said.

Delahoz said authorities do not know why Sottile stopped the vehicle.

The gunman is considered a threat to anyone who crosses his path, Trooper Kim Miller said.

Sottile had worked for the FHP for nearly 24 years. He leaves behind a wife, Elizabeth; a daughter, Heather, of Orlando; and a son Nicholas, of Tampa, who also works for the FHP.

The last time a Florida Highway Patrol trooper was shot and killed was in May 1998, in Pasco County. James B. Crooks, 23, was attempting to apprehend a suspect who had just shot and killed two Tampa Police Department detectives. Crooks had been with FHP for nine months.