Hundreds Mourn Master Sgt. Debra Clayton, Manhunt Continues

Hundreds Pay Respect To Master Sgt. Debra Clayton

On Friday night hundreds of people flocked to First Baptist Orlando to pay their respects to Orlando officer Master Sgt. Debra Clayton at her viewing.

Clayton was slain while attempting to arrest Markeith Loyd on murder charges.

At her viewing two members of the Orlando police honor guard stood on each side of her casket while law enforcement officers and residents passed by.


Clayton was dressed in her Orlando police uniform in a flag-draped casket with “Wife and mother” written on the inside along with her name, rank, birth date and date of her death, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

Mourners shed tears and said a quiet prayer as they were greeted by Orlando police Chief John Mina and two deputy chiefs. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and City Commissioner Regina Hill were also present at the visitation.


Officers from New York and California came to the viewing and are expected to be at the funeral as well, said the Sentinel.

Clayton’s funeral is set for 2 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Orlando and she will be buried at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Gotha.

Search For Loyd Continues

The search for the suspect that is accused of fatally shooting Clayton enters its sixth day.

Photo: Orange County Sheriff’s Office

On Thursday and Friday officers heavily searched for Loyd in Haines City, where he reportedly may have relatives. According to the Orlando Sentinel, investigators have swept 100 places, and police continue to work with the U.S. Marshal’s Officer and the FBI.

On Friday, Joel Greenberg, Seminole County’s new tax collector, offered to double the $100,000 reward for informatioe leading to Loyd’s capture and arrest, reported the Sentinel.

Barb Bergin, executive director of Central Florida Crimeline, told the Sentinel that the anonymous tip line doesn’t plan to take Greenberg’s offer.

“If it didn’t work at $60,000, or $100,000, we don’t know that a significant increase will help,” she said to the Sentinel.

Crimeline has been overwhelmed with nearly 1,000 tips about Loyd since Clayton’s killing Monday morning. On average the agency receives 1,000 calls in one month.

 

“This isn’t not about getting tips,” she said to the Sentinel. “It’s about getting the right tip.”