Officer Stephen Franklin House - Identification Number 726
Lost his life in the line of duty on February 15, 1989, at age 36. Stephen served the Titusville Police Department for 7 years.
On February 15, 1989, Officer House was at the range for firearms qualifications. He was called back to the police department to participate in an operation with the emergency response team (SWAT). The operation centered around a suspected drug dealer, and the plan was to search the suspect’s residence for the presence of illegal drugs. The team entered the residence and took the suspect into custody; however, the suspect’s father ran to a bedroom and barricaded himself inside. Officer House tried to talk the man into coming out, but he refused to do so. As Officer House introduced a distraction device into the room and began to enter, the man began firing. Officer House received a fatal gunshot wound. The gunman was charged with murder. At the trial, he was found not guilty and was subsequently released.
Officer House lost his life at age 36, leaving behind a loving wife, Mary Ann, and four children.