The Orlando Police Department, the Orange County Sheriff's Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are banding together to look for the person responsible for shooting and killing an off-duty Orlando police officer.
A $30,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the killer of Alfred Gordon Sr., an 18-year veteran of the Orlando Police Department. The reward includes $20,000 from Crimeline and $10,000 from the Fraternal Order of Police.
According to police, at 12:48 a.m. an Orange County Sheriff's deputy discovered a man who had been shot in a 1998 Cadillac DeVille at the Bank of America located at 7105 Silver Star Road.
Other deputies were called out, as well as emergency personnel. An investigation revealed that the dead man was a police officer.
Police said they believe Gordon, 52, died as the result of a robbery gone wrong.
"We feel at this point that this was a robbery. I'm not going to hold that back. We think he was just trying to make a simple transaction and he probably lost his life," said Sgt. Allen Lee, of the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Lee said Gordon lived in the area and was driving his personal vehicle at the time he was shot. Lee said they are slowly going through video from cameras at the bank and in the area trying to get clues to the identity of the shooter.
Lee revealed that deputies are looking for two possible witnesses.
"We know that there was a bank drop that was made either right at the time, shortly before the murder occurred or shortly thereafter. So, obviously, we need that person to come forward," Lee said.
The Orlando Police Department and the Sheriff's Office voiced their frustration at the increase in violence in Central Floriida.
"This is another senseless, violent tragedy that is happening far too often in this community," said Sheriff Kevin Beary of the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Chief Michael McCoy, of the Orlando Police Department, described Gordon as a family man who was an Army major, a deacon at his church, a singer in his church choir and a piano player.
"The murder of officer Al Gordon is a crime against the community. ... It is truly a tragedy for all of us," McCoy said.
Anyone with information about the shooting can call Crimeline at (800) 423-TIPS.