VERO BEACH — More than 3,000 mourners gathered Tuesday at a Florida airport hangar to honor Indian River County Sheriff’s Sgt. Terri Sweeting-Mashkow, a 25-year veteran killed in the line of duty while serving an eviction notice last month.
The service for Sweeting-Mashkow, 47, began at 11 a.m. inside the Corporate Air hangar at Vero Beach Regional Airport, featuring bagpipes, a moment of silence for all fallen Florida law enforcement officers and a eulogy from Sheriff Eric Flowers.
Flowers described her as one of the agency’s most dedicated members, telling her 14-year-old daughter, Haylee, “You can be sure, absolutely sure, that your mom was loved by this agency and this community.”
Sweeting-Mashkow was fatally shot Nov. 21 while serving an eviction notice at a home in Vero Beach. The suspect, Michael Halberstam, 37, opened fire, also killing locksmith David Long and wounding another deputy, Florentino “Tino” Arizpe, who is expected to recover.
Halberstam died hours later from injuries sustained when deputies returned fire. She was posthumously promoted to sergeant and is only the second deputy in the county’s history to die in the line of duty.
During the 90-minute service, Pastor Charles “Gibby” Gibson read a letter from her husband, K.C. Mashkow, who wrote that his wife “didn’t work in law enforcement — she lived it” and that she was “the glue that held everything together.”
He recalled missing her voice, daily routines and texts saying “I love your face,” adding, “We’re going to miss you every single day. You changed us all. You made us better.”
Other speakers included Deputy Don Robinson, who called her his “work wife” and said he loved her like family, as well as a video tribute with photos and messages set to “Hallelujah.” The ceremony ended with military-style honors: a three-gun salute, the playing of “Taps,” bagpipes performing “Amazing Grace,” a riderless horse and the presentation of a folded American flag to her family.
A final radio call retired her badge number at 12:35 p.m.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, who ordered flags flown at half-staff statewide, attended along with Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia, Congressman Mike Haridopolos, Sen. Erin Grall, Rep. Robert “Robbie” Brackett, and other dignitaries from across Florida.
Law enforcement agencies from nationwide sent representatives, filling the hangar to capacity with additional viewers watching via livestream.
A procession followed, with miles of vehicles escorting her casket to Crestlawn Cemetery for burial. Community members lined streets for hours, waving American flags in tribute.
Sweeting-Mashkow began her career as a public safety dispatcher before becoming a deputy known for her compassion and work ethic. She leaves behind her husband, daughter, stepson Jordan, sister Nonie Vazquez and cousin Joan Bennett.
Sheriff Flowers said the agency is focusing on healing, with counseling available for staff.
