Retired Citrus County SO Captain Phil Royal passed away this morning after completing a charity run/event. Phil was a great man, great leader, and was sure to win the Sheriff election IMO. R.I.P. Phil...

Damn... RIP, Capt. Royal.

I didn't know the man, but many of my co-workers did.  Damned shame...

Too many good ones gone.

fact................

I met him at WTI a few times years back when the company I used to work for sent us there to fix the AC ,he was a real nice guy, what a shame.










 

Only 47 years old.

RIP

It was truly an honor to be able to participate in Phil's procession this past Monday. I've known him since the late 90's as a family friend, a school resource officer when I was a kid, and he presented me with my certificate upon my graduation from the academy here after two attempts (as well as coaching me on my return after being shot in a non-school related incident during my first attempt and having to withdraw from school to recover). He also got me my first law enforcement job interview and totally fooled me by being on that oral board just days after I excitedly told him I'd been scheduled for it.

Phil was a class act and could make anyone he just met feel like an old friend. He truly walked the walk and was a role model to everyone who knew him. He had an infectious smile and a positive attitude that never ceased, and I can honestly say I never heard anyone say anything bad about him.

His campaign for Sheriff was one you could be proud to support, as he promised he would be the best he could be, for all the right reasons, until the day he died. He fulfilled that promise, and although he leaves behind a loving wife and beautiful infant daughter, they've now gained a new family from his supporters and admirers in our community the likes of which has never been seen here before. Being posthumously awarded the title of Sheriff by the current Sheriff here is a fitting piece, but certainly not the end of a such a great legacy.

Goodnight, sir. Rest well, and we will see you in the morning.

I wish I could have been there, but I'm glad some of my co-workers and our Honor Guard made it.