LODD: Sergeant Joseph Ossman
Sergeant Joseph Ossman
Florida Department of Corrections, Florida
End of Watch: Sunday, September 10, 2017
Bio & Incident Details
Age: 53
Tour: 21 years
Cause: Automobile crash
Sergeant Joseph Ossman and Deputy Sheriff Julie Bridges, of the Hardee County Sheriff’s Office, were killed in a vehicle crash at the intersection of Route 66 and Old Crewsville Road, in Zolfo Springs, at approximately 6:45 am.
Both officers had been required to stay in the county despite mandatory evacuations due to Hurricane Irma.
Deputy Bridges was picking up supplies for a hurricane shelter when her patrol car collided head-on with Sergeant Ossman’s vehicle.
Sergeant Ossman was reporting for his shift at the Hardee Correctional Institution, which remained opened despite the evacuation.
Sergeant Ossman had served with the Florida Department of Corrections for 21 years.
Please contact the following agency to send condolences or to obtain funeral arrangements:
Secretary of Corrections Julie Jones
Florida Department of Corrections
501 South Calhoun Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: (850) 488-5021