Chief Daniels misses fallen officer's funeral
By
Nick Spinetto, WINK News
Story Created:
Jul 23, 2008 at 10:38 PM EST
Story Updated:
Jul 24, 2008 at 5:46 PM EST
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Hundreds of police officers from across the state were at Officer Andrew Widman's funeral Wednesday, but one officer was noticeably absent: Fort Myers Police Chief Hilton Daniels.
WINK News spoke to Mayor Jim Humphrey Wednesday and found out Chief Daniels was on a family vacation. The mayor says Daniels ran into a number of problems and there was no way the chief could get back in time for the funeral.
At the funeral, 200 Fort Myers police officers stood shoulder to shoulder as they said their goodbye to Widman. But the one person not there was their leader, Chief Daniels.
Viewers also noticed Daniels was missing. One email we received wanted to know "why Chief Daniels failed to attend the funeral?" Another viewer wondered, "is he okay?"
We asked several people at the funeral about the whereabouts of Daniels, but no one seemed to know.
Humphrey said Daniels was on a family vacation in Montana. He said the chief drove out there in an RV and when he learned about Widman's death, Humphrey said the Chief made arrangements to come back to Fort Myers.
However, Daniels apparently didn't want to leave his family, which includes his 87-year-old mother-in-law, alone to drive back in the RV. So instead of flying out of Montana, Humphrey said Daniels decided to drive back.
Humphrey said the RV broke down several times, which prevented the chief from making it to the funeral.
Officers we talked to knew there had to be a reasonable explanation. "I trust my chief," said one officer. " I know if he had been able, he would have been there with us."
Mayor Humphrey stressed Chief Daniels, who retires next week, regrets missing the funeral.
Friday, Jul 25 at 11:59 PM Dismayed wrote ...
I feel that Chief Daniels should have made an extra effort to come to the funeral. Even with an 87 year old mother-in-law there, his wife could have taken care of her and he made the flight home. Airlines have emergency flights, explained his situation and came home. I commend Sheriff Mike Scott and LCSO for stepping in, as majority of those LCSO deputies who stepped in, gave their overtime money to the Widman family. We have an awesome role model in Sheriff Mike Scott!
Friday, Jul 25 at 7:26 PM kim wrote ...
ever heard of a plane!!!!!
Friday, Jul 25 at 4:26 PM Concerned wrote ...
Maybe someone should take note of the times these comments were written -- do you think our officers on duty in the early A.M. were bored when they logged on to post these comments and were they on city time -- if so who was paying attention to the streets when they had their nose buried in their laptops!
Friday, Jul 25 at 10:43 AM Big Daddy wrote ...
You collected a FAT paycheck from the City for a long time Cheif! The hardest part of the job is laying one of your officers to rest and you FAILED miserably! Yellow belly! I hope nobody goes to your retirement ceremony!
Friday, Jul 25 at 9:57 AM wow wrote ...
"Humphrey said the RV broke down several times" LMAO!!!
Friday, Jul 25 at 9:29 AM really... wrote ...
Get over yourselves. All of you people that are negative towards this situation. No one knows the true circumstances. The chief has his family as well. Focus your thoughts on something productive.
Thursday, Jul 24 at 7:42 PM magoo wrote ...
terrible decision chief;after 30 years this will be your legacy; you were in montana; not mongolia; cant get back in 5 days; pleaseeeeeeee where did you go to school; don stillwell school of lying sweet dreams
Thursday, Jul 24 at 6:17 PM Yes, be considerate wrote ...
It seems that people are making assumtions on why Chief Hilton did not return. In respect for the Widman family it would probably make sense not to comment. Making such comments as to "why" the chief did not return is probably not the right time to do so. With that being said we should be praying for the family. God Bless
Thursday, Jul 24 at 3:20 PM KAREN wrote ...
Did Chief Daniels even have the decency to contact Officer Widman's family and express his condolences to them? There was no excuse for not being here for the funeral of this fellow brother in arms. The outpouring of help and kindness to Officer Widman's family, makes me glad I live here.God bless the men and women of the FMPD who turned out to honor Officer Widman and his family. And God bless Sheriff Mike Scott and LCSD for stepping in and making it possible for that to happen.
Thursday, Jul 24 at 3:09 PM Be Nice wrote ...
After sending my first comment the more I thought about this the more upset I have gotten. We just laid to rest a hero yesterday, who not only served your county but also our Lord. The Chief did not ask for this to happen nor do I believe that he did not want to attend. Officer Widman would be deeply sadden to know that such thing were being said. I hope all of this stops and lets focus on the subject at hand. A family and community has lost a loved one. God bless.
Thursday, Jul 24 at 2:20 PM kwoo wrote ...
not too difficult to take a plane back. this is a lame excuse. you should be ashamed of yourself you POS.
Thursday, Jul 24 at 2:08 PM montana wrote ...
unbelievable; on vacation weeks prior to retirement and one of your officers is killed in line of duty two blocks from your office no excuses here but disrepect; and who made mayor humphrey your PR spokesman
Thursday, Jul 24 at 1:46 PM People are ridiculous wrote ...
The Chief tried to get back, he made the attempt, to say it was a disgrace. You are insane. He served this county for 28 years. You all need to get over yourself and deal with the real issues here. Not a mishap of unfortunately missing a fallen hereos funeral, which i am sure he feels terrible about.
Thursday, Jul 24 at 12:44 PM Be nice wrote ...
I think that at this time of such sadness we should not focus/judge the Chief. Officer Widman's family does not need to hear nor read any of this. The focus needs to be on them. May God bless this family and the police department family as well. God Bless.
Thursday, Jul 24 at 11:48 AM Anonymous wrote ...
Officer Andrew Widman is mostly known for and respected for his deep faith in Jesus Christ and living his life even until death in humility, love, and thankfulness to Christ's love and forgiveness. He also desired for others to know Christ's love and forgiveness..with that he lived life that showed love and forgivness. Should we not live the same way? "Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you."Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)
Thursday, Jul 24 at 11:29 AM Jason wrote ...
He has dishonored the Department, the Office of Chief and most of all a FALLEN HERO. 5 days to get back is alot of time! You could have walked!!
Thursday, Jul 24 at 9:58 AM MIGGIE88 wrote ...
Wow, I have lived her for my whole 37 years and never have I been so angry and shocked by a police chief's action. What were we thinking giving this man a badge! I say he retire now and get on 75 north and just keep going
Thursday, Jul 24 at 8:49 AM Anonymous wrote ...
what a disgrace; just stay in montana; dont come back and turn in your badge
Thursday, Jul 24 at 7:59 AM Sunshine wrote ...
There are planes he could have flown in. There are hotels his family could have stayed in until he got back. Lame excuses from a man I used to respect.
Thursday, Jul 24 at 6:01 AM JOHN wrote ...
Hope you can live with yourself Chief. Also hope nobody ever attends your funeral.
Thursday, Jul 24 at 5:57 AM Mojo wrote ...
You are "Chief of Police", no matter were you are what county, what state, lights and sirens will always get you back. All officers will help another officer in this situation. You never let a fellow officer down. Think how officer Widmans family must feel about this. This action puts your position into question.
Thursday, Jul 24 at 5:10 AM Hi There wrote ...
Not even a statement on his behalf. Shame on you Hilton Daniels.
Thursday, Jul 24 at 4:40 AM scott wrote ...
He would of had plenty of time to get back if he wanted to. Think he would of made it if he wasn't retiring next week? Inexcusable....
Thursday, Jul 24 at 3:33 AM OW wrote ...
There's no excuse for Daniels, I have lost all respect for this POS!
Thursday, Jul 24 at 1:18 AM .40 Cal wrote ...
Chief Daniels, it is too bad the only legacy you will leave behind after 28 years of service is being the Chief who did not attend his fallen officer's funeral because your motor home broke down. I hope you can sleep at night. Doug Baker for Chief!
Thursday, Jul 24 at 1:01 AM Hilton is a Disgrace wrote ...
Another lie from Hilton Daniels. He could have easily taken a flight to the funeral. His wife is more than capable of taking care of his mother, and he would have only been gone 2 days. The RV is perfect for the first week fo the trip, and then breaks down several times on his so called ride back. He knew from the beginning that he wasn't going to attend, and he lied to everyone. He doesn't care about his officers, plain and simple. What a disgrace to the uniform.
Thursday, Jul 24 at 12:42 AM Hi There wrote ...
There is no excuse for Chief Daniels not being at Officer Widmans funeral . None what so ever. I have lost all respect for this man and glad to see him retire. Unacceptable. No respect for his fallen officer, their family and the community. INEXUSABLE. This really makes me mad.
Wednesday, Jul 23 at 10:48 PM Bill wrote ...
The Chief should have been there. Other than being in the hospital, or at the bedside of a gravely ill family member, there is no excuse for the Chief of Police missing his own Officer's funeral. It is inexcusable.
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