The approval actually was inked two years ago, when the Florida Senate approved the designation. It subsequently was signed by Governor Ron Desantis. However, to enact it, the Highlands County commission must approve a companion resolution.
That was done at their meeting earlier this week.
“We wanted to wait until the completion of the William Gentry murder trial before we brought this to your attention ,” Sheriff Blackman told the commission.
Deputy Gentry joined the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office in 2005, beginning with the K-9 Unit. He and his partner, K-9 Deputy Roni, patrolled Highlands County for the next four years. When Roni was retired from duty in 2012, Deputy Gentry transferred back to road patrol.
Later, Gentry transferred to the Special Investigations.
A talented artist and woodworker, Deputy Sheriff Gentry left the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office in 2013 to make custom pool cues. He returned to the Highlands County Sheriff’s office in February of 2017. In April the following year, he became a field training deputy, taking on the task of mentoring young deputies.
He was serving in that capacity when he was shot and killed.
Thousands attended the Gentry funeral services. They included hundreds of public officials, law enforcement officers community leaders and citizens.
Highway 27 already is designated as a Purple Heart Highway and to the memory of former Democrat Senator Claude Pepper. A portion of the Highway at Milepost 22.182 is dedicated to Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Nicholas Sotille. He also was killed in the line of duty. Sotille was fatally shot during a traffic stop north of Lake Placid, in a January 2007 incident.
Florida Department of Transportation officials had no indication on when the brown and yellow memorial signs might be posted along Highway 27.
