‘Officer-Involved’ Shooting Leaves North Escambia Man Dead

July 15, 2010

The driver killed in an officer-involved shooting Wednesday morning in Pensacola has been identified as Clifton Salter, brother of Santa Rosa County Commissioner Don Salter.

The Florida Highway Patrol has issued few details about the shooting that happened after traffic stop on Pine Forest Road. According to the FHP, a trooper initiated a traffic stop at 8:27 a.m. Wednesday on Pine Forest Road just north of Longleaf Drive, about a mile from the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds.

“During the course of the traffic stop a shooting occurred resulting in the death of the driver. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene,” a release from the FHP stated.

Family members said Salter, a Cottage Hill resident, was a retired BellSouth customer service supervisor and a Vietnam veteran. A Pensacola television station reported that Salter suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The trooper involved in the shooting, who is assigned to the FHP’s Pensacola’s troop, has been placed on administrative leave under departmental policy.

It was not immediately clear if the driver was shot by the trooper of if it was a self-inflicted wound. Witnesses report hearing multiple shots. The trooper was not injured.

Southbound Pine Forest Road was closed for several hours as the investigation continues by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. All officer-involved shootings are investigated by FDLE.

Pictured above and below: Officials investigate an officer-involved shooting Wednesday morning on Pine Forest Road. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.

Comments

36 Responses to “‘Officer-Involved’ Shooting Leaves North Escambia Man Dead”

  1. Loving Clif on July 16th, 2010 9:53 pm

    Angel is right. He was a wonderful man and the world will never be the same without his loving presence.

    For those second guessing the whole thing, the investigators have told us something different from what you see here and on the pnj or Channel 3. Hopefully, the truth will be broadcast for all soon enough. If not, it is the public’s loss to be so sadly misled.

  2. Mike Amerson on July 16th, 2010 1:56 am

    I hadn’t heard of this incident until I read it on this web site. Cliff and I ate lunch and had coffee at Frans on occasions. He was always very polite and never really had anything bad to say about anyone. I hope his family is doing well. I hate to hear this about him and I couldn’t imagine what happened. It has to be very hard on the Trooper and his family as well. Nothing good comes out of something like this. I know when the Trooper made the traffic stop, he had no intentions for any of this to happen. I wouldn’t think Cliff did as well. I hate it for all involved and I feel certain Cliff is in a better place than we are. Life is too short and we all need to live as if it’s our last day here.

  3. horrific on July 15th, 2010 12:16 pm

    your probably right, when force is used there will always be some
    second guessing.

    I think probably white punk is correct on this one, but only time will
    tell.

    This may have even have been suicide by cop.

    I always feel sorry for an officer that has to pull his gun.
    The first thing that happens is an official inquiry and he
    is off duty like he did something wrong.

    I have to admit I have wondered about a shooting or two myself.
    But in almost all cases have actually ended up feeling as sorry
    for the officer who was just doing what he is trained to do as
    I did for the victim.

  4. whitepunknotondope on July 15th, 2010 10:13 am

    “Why is it that most of the adults that post on this site come across so uneducated? Most of the adults – that post on this site – cannot spell, use terrible grammar and are unable to formulate a logical argument or rebuttal.”

    What are you, our principal? Who cares?

  5. education?? on July 15th, 2010 9:16 am

    Why is it that most of the adults that post on this site come across so uneducated? Most of the adults – that post on this site – cannot spell, use terrible grammar and are unable to formulate a logical argument or rebuttal.

  6. LULU on July 15th, 2010 8:25 am

    @ Angel…you shouldn’t blast people on THIS website for what people are saying on PNJ’s website…..NOT the same people, NOT the same comments!!

  7. K.B. on July 15th, 2010 7:48 am

    wait n see….Of course fhp is not talkin’. There enough peolple out there waiting to crucify law enforcement. Anything the officer did or did not do will be the wrong thing. If he let the man continue to fire while holding his own shots,he would be negligent. Since the fella wound up dead,the fhp will catch the blame for that. Law enforcement is a “no win” occupation when force is required.

  8. Bob Hill on July 15th, 2010 7:39 am

    May God Bless this family and all concerned , troubled times we live in for sure!!!!

  9. whitepunknotondope on July 15th, 2010 7:34 am

    “Whitepunknotondope…I cannot wait to hear you analysis of this story. What do you think is the real story??”

    I know you’re being facetious, but I think the real story is simple: PTSD coupled with his prior record, he snapped.

  10. horrific on July 15th, 2010 7:21 am

    angel,
    Then I suggest you get off of the pnj and here,
    as ppl are going to go through this with a fine
    tooth comb, and your probably going to get
    a whole lot more red in the face.

    Why not just go do something else today.
    Or would you rather stay in here and yell
    at ppl who what to know what happened
    here. REALLY

  11. Cheryl on July 15th, 2010 6:22 am

    To Angel:
    Don’t waste your time looking at PNJ’s comments. Usually it’s the same people posting each other and they just try to get everyone riled up. I doubt they know anything about the people in the story and don’t really care. Seriously, don’t read them if you’re close to the story or person involved.

  12. aam on July 15th, 2010 6:20 am

    Way to go Angel. I believe that he is and was a good man. Something must have happened to cause this reaction. But the bottom line is the life the man lead shows his character, and I believe Angel can testify to that.

  13. ANGEL on July 15th, 2010 1:18 am

    @ David- I’m not ANGERY!!!!!! I just dont like people blashing my friend! My Husband has known & lived next door to him sence 1967! We have never heard some of these things people are saying about him!!! We just want the man to R.I.P. thats all!!!!!!! If that makes me angery then so be it!!!!!!!!

  14. David Huie Green on July 15th, 2010 12:56 am

    I meant Angel, but I guess Anger works too

  15. David Huie Green on July 15th, 2010 12:55 am

    Anger, REGARDING:
    “I copy & paste my comment from the PNJ people are talking trash about him on PNJ! ”

    People on PNJ argue with themselves.

    ‘nuf said

  16. ANGEL on July 15th, 2010 12:11 am

    @ Lulu! I copy & paste my comment from the PNJ people are talking trash about him on PNJ! I should have taken the part that said HE WASNT A THUG OR METH HEAD!!! WHO OR YALL TO JUDGE THIS MAN WITHOUT ALL THE FACTS!! ONLY ONE MAN CAN JUDGE HIM & THAT IS GOD HIMSELF!!! Off from here & I’m sorry for that!!!!!! But I stand by what I have said!!!!!!

  17. Concerned Parent on July 14th, 2010 10:55 pm

    My thoughts and prayers are with the Salter family.

  18. LULU on July 14th, 2010 10:55 pm

    @ Angel..what are you talking about? I have not read a single comment on this story that has been negative about this man.

  19. WRM on July 14th, 2010 10:32 pm

    The court records paint a strange picture. In 2009, a 2nd driving with license suspended charge (FHP) happened and the judge let him off with a fine. Usually a second conviction of DWLS requires incarceration. It looks like FHP was going for the 3rd and it didn’t happen. The court records are public info-

    You can look and speculate but if he was DWLS again, it is not possible for him to have the same judge again.

  20. ANGEL on July 14th, 2010 8:26 pm

    I want to say that (I’m sorry for the family & friends of this Man) he was my FRIEND & NEIGHBOR FOR OVER 43 YEARS! He was a kind man would do anything for someone who was in need! HE SERVED OUR COUNTRY IN VIETNAM! HE WAS A HERO! WHO ONLY KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON IN HIS MIND! From what I understand he had COD!!!!! HE GOT THIS FROM FIGHTING FOR US IN VIETNAM!!! HE WAS A GOOD SON, BROTHER, HUSBAND, FATHER, & FRIEND!!! HE WAS A KIND & GENEROUS SOUL!!! HE WASNT A THUG OR METH HEAD!!! WHO OR YALL TO JUDGE THIS MAN WITHOUT ALL THE FACTS!! ONLY ONE MAN CAN JUDGE HIM & THAT IS GOD HIMSELF!!! SO MY PRAYERS GOES OUT TO THE FAMILY!!! I’M GLAD THAT THE FHP TROOPERS WERE NOT HURT!!! GOD BLESS ALL VETERANS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, & MILITARY!!!!

  21. wait n see on July 14th, 2010 8:22 pm

    the fhp is holding this close to the vest! i would wait until all the facts are in before i sing anyone’s praise! although police have a hard job they are human and sometimes act emotionally and bad thing happen!

  22. ME on July 14th, 2010 7:27 pm

    sorry for the driver though

  23. ME on July 14th, 2010 7:27 pm

    They dont get paid enough to be shot at

  24. Chumuckla proud on July 14th, 2010 7:25 pm

    Dangerous work, lousy pay!

    I respect and will always respect any law enforcement officer, fire fighter, EMT, paramedic, or military person. They are dedicated to saving our lives and protecting us. Thank you.

  25. camie on July 14th, 2010 7:22 pm

    He was a good friend of mine and never thought something like this would happen.. yes i’m glad the trooper was not hurt…. But i’m sorry for the family i hope ever one no’s that… You are in our prayers and no one can say anything bad about the man you didn’t no him he was a good person. This is a horrible thing that had happen an i hope they can get to the bottom of this… I wish something like happen it not goin to be right going by there and him not doing things in his yard or seeing him wave at you when you pass by…To the family i hope an pray that you find out what happen…

  26. David Huie Green on July 14th, 2010 3:39 pm

    it was a fine metaphor

  27. Bama Boy on July 14th, 2010 3:27 pm

    Whitepunknotondope…I cannot wait to hear you analysis of this story. What do you think is the real story??

  28. whitepunknotondope on July 14th, 2010 3:18 pm

    Of Sheep,Sheepdogs and Wolves:

    Uh, yeah, right… makes perfect sense John.

  29. JohnMolino on July 14th, 2010 3:04 pm

    Of Sheep,Sheepdogs and Wolves:
    The sheep generally do not like the sheepdog. He looks a lot like the wolf. He has massive fangs and surely has the capacity for violence. The difference, though, is that the sheepdog must not, cannot and will not ever harm the sheep. Any sheepdog who intentionally harms the lowliest little lamb will be punished and removed. The world cannot work any other way, at least not in a representative democracy or a republic such as ours.

    Still, the sheepdog disturbs the sheep. He is a constant reminder that there are wolves in the land. They would prefer that he didn’t tell them where to go, or give them traffic tickets, or stand at the ready in our airports in camouflage fatigues holding an M-16. The sheep would much rather have the sheepdog cash in his fangs, spray paint himself white, and go, “Baa.”
    That is, UNTIL the Wolf shows up. Then the entire flock tries desperately to hide behind the one lonely sheepdog. That one lonely sheepdog… whose only work in life is to protect those who cannot protect themselves and if need be, would valiantly fight and risk his life for the other.. .

    Thank You to Law Enforcement. May we never take you for granted.

  30. JohnMolino on July 14th, 2010 2:53 pm

    Glad the Trooper is safe.
    Sorry it had to end that way for the other.

  31. horrific on July 14th, 2010 1:14 pm

    I’m sure the trooper was just doing his job.
    How horrible

    God bless the trooper and the family of the deceased

  32. David Huie Green on July 14th, 2010 12:58 pm

    a rough job

  33. justmy2cents on July 14th, 2010 11:47 am

    Never know what or who you are going to come in contact with. Be safe Everyone

  34. digusted on July 14th, 2010 11:04 am

    God bless our troopers.

  35. Thinker on July 14th, 2010 10:55 am

    Rough job, stopping motorists these days. Lots of frustrated people out there.

  36. Billy on July 14th, 2010 10:48 am

    Thank goodness the Trooper is not hurt.

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