Memorial continues to grow outside Walmart where OPD lieutenant was gunned down

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando police Lt. Debra Clayton's memorial outside a Pine Hills Walmart where she was gunned down last week continued to grow Wednesday.

Clayton’s accused killer, Markeith Loyd, was arrested Tuesday night at an abandoned home on the 1100 block of Lescot Lane near Raleigh and Conley streets in the Carver Shores area about 7 p.m., police said.

"It's just we are really relieved to have now that he's in custody, and you know, justice will be done," Orlando resident Cathie Doughtery said.

Among the shopping carts and parked cars lay a tribute of flowers, balloons and law enforcement patches dedicated to the memory of Clayton.

"I wish they would have got him after he shot his girlfriend, but it's good they got him," said resident Douglas Elow.

Donna Vandyke and Mary Ballard did not know Clayton, but they walked out of Walmart in tears and with a message for the fallen officer.

"I wrote, ‘We will miss you and rest in peace,’" Ballard said.

Ballard said now that Loyd is behind bars, she can get back to doing things she used to do.

“I was afraid to go out sometimes,” Ballard said. “I was scared, and the helicopters and everything around, but they did their job."

Many residents said police did their job well.

People are leaving flowers and other mementos outside of Orlando police headquarters, where her patrol car is parked.

Cox Media Group