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The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office structured its annual memorial ceremony for fallen deputies Wednesday a little bit differently than it has in past years and added a special service to honor the family of one particular officer.
Floyd "Doug" Heist, 42, was the first ECSO deputy to arrive at the scene of an armed robbery April 29, 1980. When the robber spotted him, he took a hostage before opening fire. Heist was shot and rushed to a hospital where he died four days later.
Earlier this year, the ECSO named a K-9 in honor of Heist. At the Wednesday ceremony, the canine, named “K-9 Deputy Heist,” was introduced to the fallen deputy’s surviving family members.