ORLANDO, Fla. — A retired Orlando police officer whose career became nationally significant after a controversial 2019 arrest that helped reshape Florida law was killed in a shooting Tuesday night, authorities confirmed.
Just before 7 p.m. on January 1, 2026, officers with the Orlando Police Department (OPD) responded to reports of a shooting at a residence in the 1200 block of Kozart Street. When officers arrived, they found a man lying on the ground suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.
The victim was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.
Police identified the victim as Dennis Turner, 64, who retired from the Orlando Police Department in 2018 after 23 years of service to the city. Turner then rejoined the department as a reserve.
Incident Stemmed From Family Dispute, Police Say
According to preliminary information released by police, the shooting stemmed from a family-related dispute. The suspect fled the scene immediately following the shooting.
After coordinating with law enforcement agencies in Polk and Highlands counties, OPD’s Tactical Anti-Crime (TAC) officers located and apprehended the suspect later that evening.
The suspect was identified as Jeffery London, a 58-year-old Black male born January 17, 1967. Police said London has been charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Turner, also identified as a Black male born January 25, 1961, was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
A Legacy Intertwined With Statewide Police Reform
Turner’s death carries additional weight due to his role in one of the most consequential policing cases in recent Florida history.
In 2019, Turner arrested a six-year-old Black girl, Kaia Rolle, at an Orlando elementary school — an incident that sparked national outrage, widespread protests, and renewed scrutiny of juvenile justice practices involving young children. The case ultimately led to the passage of the Kaia Rolle Act, which took effect in 2021 and prohibits the arrest of children younger than seven years old for most offenses, with limited exceptions for forcible felonies.
The law marked a significant shift in Florida’s approach to early childhood encounters with law enforcement and has since been cited nationally as a model for juvenile justice reform.
Turner retired from the department the year before the law went into effect.
Investigation Ongoing
Police emphasized that the investigation remains active and that details are limited at this time. No additional information regarding the motive, the nature of the family dispute, or the relationship between the suspect and victim has been released.
“This is all the information we have to share at this time,” OPD stated in a release.
Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact the Orlando Police Department or Crimeline.
As the city processes the loss, Turner’s death stands at the intersection of personal tragedy, public service, and a legacy that permanently altered how Florida treats its youngest children in moments of crisis.
