#Florida wildlife officer fatally shot trying to stop hit-and-run

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Julian Keen
Florida Highway Patrol Command Officers Association

A Florida wildlife officer was shot and killed while trying to stop a hit-and-run driver — and a man has been arrested in connection to his death, according to reports.

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Officer Julian Keen Jr., 30, was off duty Sunday night when he was shot near LaBelle, which is about 26 miles east of Fort Myers, news station WEAR reported.

Keen had jumped into his truck to pursue a reckless driver after he and another man witnessed the hit and run, WTVX reported.

When authorities arrived at the scene, the officers found Keen dead.

Eliceo Hernandez, 20, was arrested and charged with negligent manslaughter in Keen’s death, WINK News reported. His bond was set at $500,000.

His arrest came after authorities said three suspects were detained and questioned in the case.

Details about what led up to the fatal shooting have not been released and it’s unclear whether Hernandez was the reckless driver Keen had been pursuing.

The Florida Highway Patrol Command Officers Association said Keen was “murdered last night while following his calling to protect and serve others.”

“He was a genuine officer who would literally give his shirt off his back to ANYONE who needed it,” the group wrote on Facebook.