Cop's apparent suicide, note baffle Lady Lake

Officials in this northern Lake County town were baffled to learn that a police lieutenant who died in an apparent suicide Wednesday left a note saying his refusal to help oust the town's police chief ...

[Fagnela]

That is indeed the coward's way out. However, the medication may have clouded his judgment.

[Abe]

The above comments are very true, especially the one about more to this story. If you read between the lines within this article there is trouble in paradise in Lady Lake. Humm.. the Chief was asked to make some changes and get back with the city officals? Stay Tuned....

[Bob]

This is not the first time for Lady Lake:
January 6, 1998

VETERAN COP, WIFE DIE IN APPARENT MURDER-SUICIDE
The youngest daughter of a veteran police officer found her parents shot to death after an apparent murder-suicide.The bodies of James Kirby, 43, a police sergeant, and his wife, Cathy, 42, a school volunteer, were found over the weekend. James Kirby apparently shot his wife before turning the gun on himself after a quarrel late Saturday, investigators with the Lake County Sheriff's Office said Sunday.

[Discretion]

Looks like the people posting above just can't resist offering their opinion on just about anything. I guess "inquiring minds want to know".

Have you no sense of discretion?

[gotoutofdodge]

As a former employee there in LL. I know the bullying of BV and Mr. Shields and it caused me much stress, but unfortunately I got out cause I knew who I was and was better than that place for sure. It's unfortunate for Lt. Wadkins and as a former co-worker it's a sad situation. How very sad and I pray for his family.

[Columbo]

I'm sorry, but something is rotten in Denmark! A professional person who has served many years in a leadership capacity of one kind or another takes his life over political maneuvering.
How can this be? Rumors have come from within the Sheriff's Office that he left a twelve page letter for a suicide note. The Orlando Sentinel stated they made a public records request and got the "note" it named four people in Lady Lake City Hall who wanted him to assist them in overthrowing the Chief. How many pages was in this note? I think its time for someone with some authority
like the Chief of Lady Lake to call for an FDLE investigation to find out the truth about this and how many pages this man left. Did he take twelve pages to tell the story of the four persons wanting to overthow the Chief? This needs a real investigation not a cover up, for all concerned. This man deserves better than this.

[More than you know]

All i have to say is people really have some nerve!!! How can you sit here and right such negativity and questioning to what happened....if you had one lick of courtesy you would be sending prayers to his family not accusing him of being "weak" or being a "coward" you have no clue what a great man he was and still is!!! You obviously are from the outside and have NO clue of what is really happening so a little advice dont judge someone and call them names when you dont know one thing about them!! He is a strong, loving, caring person, whom loved his job and most importantly his family!!
So know the negativity will get you nowhere in life....So you should try caring for the family rather getting into their business and trying to know whats going on..because truth is your life isnt enough that you have to go into someone elses....now that is what I call being a coward..So once again try being positive it will get you further and most of all mind your own business and respect the family!!!

[I worked with Gene]

Oh, lets gossip!
All that matters is a great person is gone and that everyone who knew and cared about him is left is shock and mourning. His family should not have to read the kind of comments that people put on sites like this. Its easy to call him names when you didn't know him or care. But regardless of the reason he did it, all that matters is we lost him and that truly hurts us all.
So please if you have nothing nice to say about the man, then keep your opinion to yourself, especially if you didn't even know him.
As far as the PD, don't worry, if something is afoul it will come out sooner or later, It always does.

[shut your mouth already]

SHUT UP... ALL OF YOU!!!!

If you only knew, but guess what... you don't. SO if you didn't know him, and you have nothing nice to say, then shut up.. shut up... shut up!!! At this moment, it is NOT about GENE!! It is about Kelly, and Kiley!!! Thats it. And if your not going to send them your thoughts, prayers, concerns, or love then... POUND SAND!!!!! HE was an awesome man, and all of us have faults, and weakness. Nobody is above it and you never really know unless you have been there. So SHUT UP ALREADY!!!!!

To the family..
I love you all, and keep you close in my heart. It was a great loss to you and the community. I pray for you and I am here for you. Ignore the stupid people that say stupid stuff. Stupid can't be fixed, and we all know that. And just remember....
453 times in the bible it states, " IT CAME TO PASS", and this shall pass too. I promise! Love you all very much.:)

[the strong one]

First I want to say that I know the truth to all and no matter what you may think I know that Gene loved his family and his WIFE more than anything...this coming from someone who was there next to Gene with the good and bad days. Heis a great man and never thought twice about giving his knowledge to others in our profession! You asked a question and he could answer it I often wonder being one that called from time to time who the person who will help me with those challenges? Hummmmm answer is me because Gene gave me strength when I needed it, Smiles just because he could and I can only thank all of you that support the family who is dealing with this GREAT lose. He is my rock and was at time a rock for many others as well.LHT He was greatly loved by his family and will be missed everyday but those of us that knew the real Gene trust me he is still with you as he is with me! and

[the strong one]

outraged wrote:

Sounds to me like he may have been having some mental issues..possibly from the accident he had the year prior...was he taking medications due to the accident? There was something else to this..not just what he wrote in the letter.

You have no idea what you are talking about and he was not having mental issues keep your rude opinions to yourself they are in appropriate for the family tat he loved dearly!

[as if you knew]

Fagnela wrote:

That is indeed the coward's way out. However, the medication may have clouded his judgment.

He was not a coward you have no idea what a Law Enforcement Officer goes through everyday when they wear the badge,it takes a special kind of person to do what we do!We have to try to fix others issues and well when an agency cant work together and work as a team it's hard! People who have nothig better to do than gossip or worry about what is going on in others lives are the true cowards and well they will have to deal with that everyday when they lay there head down and close there eyes...hummmmm? Always DRAMA? I can only hope that the family knows we are praying for them daily and again Gene is a great man if you would have had 5 min of time with him you would have never said coward reffering to him in any way..god bless the family

[thanks hummmmmmm]

I worked with Gene wrote:

Oh, lets gossip!
All that matters is a great person is gone and that everyone who knew and cared about him is left is shock and mourning. His family should not have to read the kind of comments that people put on sites like this. Its easy to call him names when you didn't know him or care. But regardless of the reason he did it, all that matters is we lost him and that truly hurts us all.
So please if you have nothing nice to say about the man, then keep your opinion to yourself, especially if you didn't even know him.
As far as the PD, don't worry, if something is afoul it will come out sooner or later, It always does.

All i can say is I second all of this above!!!! He loved those around him and he loved his job I hope the Cheif can continue to push forward he is also a great man as well as a friend and well the truth shall set it all free!!!!