"Heroes Live Forever" - the story of Jackson County (FL) Deputy Harold Michael Altman

Mellie McDaniel

The wife of a Florida sheriff was murdered in her driveway while on the phone with her husband--moments later the deputy who responded was also ambushed and killed

McLean, VA (September 24, 2024) - Around 5 p.m. on January 30, 2007, Mellie McDaniel was talking on her mobile phone with her husband, Jackson County (FL) Sheriff John P. McDaniel, when she pulled into her driveway after shopping for groceries. She suddenly became concerned when another car pulled in behind her. She told her husband about the suspicious activity and then let out a long scream. Sheriff McDaniel immediately radioed for officers in the area to respond. Deputy Harold Michael “Mike” Altman was the first on the scene just two minutes later. A police dispatcher could hear him say over the radio, “Get off of me”—then silence. When the sheriff and other deputies arrived, they were met with a hail of gunfire. When the gun battle had ended, the two assailants were dead, along with Mrs. McDaniel and Deputy Altman. It was an apparent revenge killing. One of the assailants was suspected of killing his wife six years earlier and a life insurance claim had recently been dismissed. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office had been investigating.

Dep. Harold "Mike" Altman

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