ORLANDO, Fla. – Sadia Baxter, the widow of slain Kissimmee police Officer Matthew Baxter, was sworn-in as an Florida Department of Law Enforcement special agent Monday afternoon 10 days after bidding an emotional farewell to her husband.
FDLE Commissioner Richard Swearingen drove in from Tallahassee for the ceremony and Special Agent in Charge Danny Banks said a few words and offered the department's "strong support" for Special Agent Baxter, FDLE spokeswoman Angela Starke said.
Sadia Baxter served as a Kissimmee police officer with her husband before joining the FDLE. Her three daughters and members of the Kissimmee Police Department were also at the ceremony.
Assistant Commissioners Jennifer Pritt and Don Ladner also came from Tallahassee to attend the ceremony.
Matthew Baxter and Sgt. Sam Howard were both killed Aug. 18 while speaking to three men near Palmway and Cypress streets in Kissimmee. The suspect, Everett Glenn Miller, 45, is charged with premeditated murder, carrying a concealed weapon and resisting arrest without violence. He's being held at the Osceola County Jail without bond.
During the funeral for her husband Thursday, Baxter hinted that she would continue to serve the community.
“I thank you all for celebrating my husband’s life,” she said. “I will continue to proudly serve you all and keep my husband’s legacy alive.”
Sadia and Matthew Baxter shared a lifesaving award for their rescue of a man who had tried to commit suicide.
Sadia Baxter will attend FDLE Analyst Academy for training and has been assigned to an organized crimes unit, Starke said.
Matthew Baxter is survived by his wife and four daughters. Howard is survived by his wife and teenage daughter.