Fallen deputy laid to rest in Port Charlotte

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Community members, family, friends, and law enforcement officers gathered on Monday to honor Orange County Deputy First Class Norman Lewis.

Lewis, 35, was one of two officers killed in Orlando on Jan. 9. Lewis crashed his motorcycle while engaging in a manhunt for Markeith DeMangzlo Loyd, who is accused of killing Orlando Police Master Sgt. Debra Clayton.

Monday’s funeral is the second for Lewis, who graduated from Port Charlotte High School in 2000. Thousands assembled at First Baptist Church in Orlando on Sunday to pay their respects.

WINK News reporter Michelle Kingston went live via Facebook as officers arrived at Murdock Baptist Church for Lewis’ funeral.

Gov. Rick Scott was among the hundreds who packed the church for the ceremony. So, too, was retired Orange County Deputy David Callin and his wife, who lost their own son in the line of duty.

They remembered Lewis, known to many as Big Norm, for his magnanimous demeanor.

“He was in a life of service and he was there to render his big self in any way he could,” Callin said. “Our hearts are broken right now.”

WINK News reporter Britni McDonald has more from the church:

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