Public Invited To Honor Lakeland Officer Paul Dunn

LAKELAND, FL — The public is invited to honor Lakeland Police Officer Paul Dunn, who was killed on duty last week when he lost control of his Harley-Davidson Police Road King motorcycle while riding to work.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered flags to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset Wednesday in honor of the fallen officer.

"In honor of Officer Paul Dunn, I hereby direct the flags of the United States and the state of Florida to be flown at half-staff at the Polk County Courthouse in Bartow, Florida, the City Hall in Lakeland, Florida, the Lakeland Police Department in Lakeland, Florida and the State Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020," the governor's order states.

The funeral and visitation will be held Wednesday at Lakes Church. The church was formerly known as the First Baptist Church at the Mall. See also Florida Police Officer Killed In Motorcycle Crash

"The family has also requested that anyone attending, who wishes, to wear military support or University of Florida attire in honor of Officer Dunn’s military service and his love for the Florida Gators football team," according to the Lakeland Police Department.

Visitation will take place between 11 a.m. and noon followed by the funeral service at noon. Police honors will he conducted after the service outside the church at 1010 E. Memorial Blvd.

For those who can't attend, the funeral service will be livestreamed via Facebook Live on the Lakes church Facebook page and shared via the Lakeland Police Department's Facebook page. The livestream will begin shortly before noon.

The funeral procession is expected to depart the church between 1:30 and 2 p.m. It will head east on East Memorial Boulevard, turning south on North Lake Parker Avenue and then south on Bartow Highway (S. Rd 98) to the Lakeland Memorial Gardens Funeral Home at 2125 Bartow Road.

"The public is encouraged to show support to Officer Dunn’s family and friends along the route as they make their way to the funeral home," Lakeland police said, adding there will not be a graveside burial service. The family is planning to hold a private ceremony in the future.

The 50-year-old officer passed away Thursday following the crash near Lake Miriam Drive and Lakeland Highlands Road.

"Officer Dunn has been with our agency since 2013 and has worked in law enforcement for over 20 years, previously serving with the Ocoee Police Department and Polk County Sheriff’s Office," Lakeland police said. "Officer Dunn was a beloved member of our motor unit."

Officer Dunn, who also served in the Marine Corps, is survived by an adult daughter, two adult sons and two stepdaughters. Officer Dunn’s wife is a detective with the Lakeland Police Department.

Both of his sons serve in the armed forces.

"Please keep Officer Dunn’s family and all those who loved him in your thoughts and prayers as we are grieving this huge loss to our agency and our community," Lakeland police added.