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Rookie, veteran deputies involved in shooting

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By KYLE MARTIN, Hernando Today

Published: November 22, 2007

Updated: 11/21/2007 09:22 pm

SRING HILL - A veteran and a rookie have been named as the deputies involved in Tuesday's fatal shooting of a suspect.

Per sheriff's office policy, deputies Michael "Mike" Glatfelter and Christopher Croft are now on paid administrative leave.

On Wednesday morning, Chief Deputy Michael Hensley called the shooting on Banyan Road a "reality check" for the department.

"Losing a life or taking a life is the ultimate requirement" of this profession, he said. "It's never a good thing."

The sheriff's office said that Gabelman was distraught and suicidal over the breakup of his girlfriend on Tuesday. He went to his parents' house on Banyan Road three times over the course of the day, prompting a 911 call from his mother each time.

The third time, around 2 p.m., he stepped outside the house with a small black gun and fired a shot at deputies, authorities say. Witnesses dispute that account and say the shot went over the deputies' heads. However, neighbors agree that a loud boom was heard before nine shots were fired at Gabelman.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating and did not release any new information Wednesday besides the names of the deputies involved.

Hensley is filling in for Sheriff Richard Nugent, who is on vacation in St. Augustine. But Nugent did return briefly to Hernando County to speak with Croft and Glatfelter, as well as sit down with the Gabelman family.

Hensley said both he and the sheriff know the Gabelmans personally, but he didn't elaborate.

Attempts to reach the Gabelmans family Wednesday were unsuccessful.

Glatfelter, 45, started in law enforcement with the Brooksville Police Department in 1985. He transferred to the sheriff's office in 1989.

He is considered a senior member of the traffic enforcement unit and one of three deputies qualified to conduct a traffic homicide investigation. One skill that could have come in handy Tuesday is his position with Crisis Response Team, which responds to hostage situations.

His personnel file is crammed with internal commendations and thank you letters from the community. Performance reviews are mostly glowing. He was qualified to use a shotgun, in addition to his side arm, but authorities have not said what gun was used in Tuesday's shooting.

Croft's last job before donning the badge in 2005 was at a Sbarro pizza restaurant in Tampa. The 33-year-old is a graduate of Central High School and has received three commendations for his professional and courteous manner.

Department policy states they are to be on leave for 24 hours after the shooting, and then they have to be psychologically cleared and give their own OK before returning to the job.

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com

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