2025 Trooper of the Year

Trooper David Kitchen

On July, 14, 2024, at approximately 5:45 P.M., the Jacksonville Regional Communications Center broadcasted a BOLO of a reckless driver traveling southbound on Interstate 75 in Alachua County. Trooper Kitchen observed the suspect vehicle and attempted to stop the suspect vehicle, which resulted in a vehicle pursuit when the suspect fled. The pursuit entered Marion County and concluded after the suspect’s vehicle struck multiple victim vehicles. When Trooper Kitchen exited his patrol vehicle and attempted to communicate, the suspect refused to follow verbal commands and attempted to get back into his vehicle. Trooper Kitchen closed the distance with the suspect at the passenger door and a physical altercation ensued when the suspect physically resisted, During the physical altercation, the suspect gained control of a firearm from his vehicle, which forced Trooper Kitchen to use deadly force against the felonious suspect. After the deadly force incident, Trooper Kitchen immediately began to render aid to save the life of the suspect. Trooper Kitchen’s heroic actions stopped the suspect’s malicious attack on Trooper Kitchen and may have ultimately saved the lives the victims of the car crash from being attacked.