Police Officer Arrested After Running Away From His Mother's Wedding

Police Officer Arrested After Running Away From His Mother's Wedding

This is a bit of a weird one. On February 26, 2022, Orange County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) Deputy Sheriff Zachary Louis Erickson was arrested by officers with the West Melbourne Police Department after Erickson ran away from his own mother's wedding and was caught driving more than 80 mph in a 40 mph zone. Erickson was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, Erickson refused field sobriety tests and refused to submit to a breath alcohol test.

On May 25, 2022, Erickson was accepted into the Brevard County first-time DUI offender program. Erickson was required to complete 20 community service hours, DUI school, and a victim impact panel, to be followed by a related term of DUI probation. On August 3, 2022, Erickson pleaded guilty to the charge of Reckless Driving, Alcohol or Controlled Substance Related. Adjudication was withheld, fees and fines were imposed totaling $674.81, and Erickson was placed on nine months of probation with various requirements.

Erickson's brother Jared is a deputy with OCSO, and his father died in the line of duty as a deputy first class with OCSO (see note below). According to Erickson's words during this arrest, his mother previously worked for OCSO. After OCSO learned of Erickson's arrest, Erickson was relieved of his law enforcement duties. Information obtained by this channel indicates that Erickson is currently employed as a police officer with the Kissimmee Police Department. As of mid-June 2022, Erickson was on the Brady List maintained by the State Attorney's Office for the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida. Note: Erickson's father was Michael K. Erickson, who died on March 16, 2011.

A contemporaneous story published on Officer.com states: "Orange County Sheriff's Office officials said a deputy died while on the job at the YMCA Aquatic Center," however a WESH article published that same day reports that Erickson died of a heart attack while playing racquetball with one of his neighbors. It appears that Erickson's death may have determined to be in the line of duty because Erickson had attended three high-stress homicide calls the weekend prior to his death while playing racquetball. Whether of not an officer death occurred in the line of duty has implication for, among other things, the availability of certain financial benefits to next of kin.