Orlando Sentinel
HOLLY HILL, Fla. — Holly Hill Police recruit who died Saturday during a physical-agility test for the department was a former college football player who was given a medical clearance by a physician to participate in the test, department officials said today.
Robert Tramaine Williams, 24, collapsed at the start-finish line after completing a course administered by the Holly Hill Police Department in just over four minutes.
Williams, who stood 6 feet, 7 inches and about 350 pounds, played football at Lyman High School and Bethune-Cookman University.
“Robert Williams died pursuing his dream of serving others in the field of law enforcement,” Holly Hill Police Chief Mark Barker said, reading a prepared statement at a Monday morning news conference. “The officers and staff of the Holly Hill Police Department are deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic loss of this dedicated young man. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Williams family and to everyone who knew and loved Robert.”
Williams’ death is being investigated by the Volusia County Medical Examiner.
Besides Williams, four other recruits were taking part in the physical agility exam Saturday. The course is set to state standards, and the department has used it for several years, Barker said.
The course consists of: running two 220-yard sprints; dragging a 150-pound object 100 feet; jumping over obstacles 12-to 24-inches high; climbing over a 40-inch wall; running two 5-foot sprints; and moving around a series of pylons.
When Williams collapsed about 2 p.m., several officers performed CPR and tried to resuscitate him, as did paramedics. Williams was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly before 3 p.m.
Williams graduated from Lyman High School in Longwood in 2004. He graduated in May from Bethune-Cookman, according to the department.
He was a student in the Basic Law Enforcement course at Daytona State College’s School of Emergency Services. Williams was scheduled to graduate in February.
Williams applied for a job with Holly Hill police in October.
The department said Williams wrote on his employment application:
“Since I was young, I always wanted to be an officer. Growing up in the neighborhoods that were represented by drugs and crime, I chose to go the other route. A police officer to me is someone who fights crime and enforces the law. While society views police officers in a negative manner, I respect officers because they are the reason why people are able to sleep peacefully at night.”
“Since joining the Police Academy, my family has more respect for me and my troubled siblings are now on the right path because they want to become successful like me. The Holly Hill Police Department represents crime prevention and respect for the law. HHPD is also a family-based agency and also well-respected in the community. For the Holly Hill Police Department to have an interest in me is a great honor and I feel very privileged.”
Williams successfully completed the police department’s background investigation, psychological fitness for duty evaluation, and a polygraph exam.
“Although Robert was not a sworn member of this agency, the Holly Hill Police Department will posthumously award him the title of Honorary Police Officer to memorialize his dedication and commitment to entering the police service,” Barker stated.
Copyright 2009 Orlando Sentinel