The Florida deputy met the elderly lady back in October when she called the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office for help.
Sarasota sheriff’s deputy Frankie Eugene Bybee, 46, transported her to the hospital and prayed with the 79-year-old woman, gaining her trust and confidence.
He also agreed to care for her Yorkshire in exchange for $1,000, even texting her a photo of himself with the dog to show that it was safe.
But then it appears he sold the dog on Craig’s List.
He then spent the next few weeks visiting her at her home while on on-duty and off-duty, introducing her to his three children.
But within two months, the woman called the sheriff’s office to report that he had become too controlling.
Sarasota sheriff’s investigators then learned that he likely wrote checks from the woman’s account to himself and children for $65,000 after the woman denied ever writing them and his fingerprints were found on at least one check.
The 18-year veteran with a history of disciplinary action against him was then placed on administrative leave.
Three days later on January 12, the deputy donned dark clothes and latex gloves and entered her home through an unlocked door, grabbing her face and forcing a pill down her throat.
He then turned her car on, leaving the door open from the garage to the kitchen in an attempt to fill the home with carbon monoxide to kill her, according to the arrest affidavit.
According to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
An examination found lacerations, abrasions and bruises to her face and body. The Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant that obtained cell phone data, photographs, security video and latex gloves.
Knight said the investigation concluded Bybee attempted to kill the woman and stage a suicide. Bybee was arrested at 7 a.m. Monday and paperwork initiated to terminate his employment.
Knight called Bybee’s alleged actions a disgrace to the agency and policing.
“It is beyond unacceptable that an individual who works in a position of trust and guardianship to their community, is capable of such heinous crimes. His actions are a disgrace not only to our agency but to law enforcement professionals everywhere. Now that he is off our streets and behind bars, we will let the criminal justice system will take its course,” Knight said.
Bybee was charged with attempted murder; battery of a victim 65 and older; burglary of an occupied dwelling; exploitation of the elderly; two counts of grand theft; forgery and petit theft.
He is being held on a bond of more than $1 million, and had an annual salary of $66,406 with an additional $1,560 in incentives.
