Family Wants Answers About Son's Death During Police Training

A former college football player suddenly collapsed and died following a physical agility test he was taking to become a Holly Hill police officer -- and now his family is searching for answers.

"I'm just confused and I'm hurt," the recruit's mother, Antionette White told Channel 9. "I am really broken now, I just need some answers that's all."

Robert Tramaine Williams, 24, a 2004 Lyman High School graduate who played college football at Bethune-Cookman University, completed the test well within the time frame, Holly Hill Police Chief Mark Barker said in a phone interview with WFTV.com.

“We're just not sure why this happened,” Barker said.

The test is designed to measure balance, flexibility, muscular endurance and strength.

“It's really not a very intensive test,” Barker said. “It does require some running, clearing of obstacles and dragging a 150 pound dummy a short distance.”

Following Williams’ collapse, police officers from the department he was days away from joining used CPR to try and resuscitate him. Volusia County Fire officials then provided advanced life support and rushed him to Halifax Hospital, but it couldn’t save him. He was pronounced dead at 3 p.m. -- about one hour after his collapse.

“Everyone’s just completely devastated,” Barker said, “He's just such a wonderful young guy, nice kid. Big guy, 6-foot-7.”

Barker said it was too soon for anyone from the department to talk on camera, but has scheduled a press conference for 9 a.m. Monday. Saturday night, command staff planned to meet with Williams’ family.

Williams graduated Bethune-Cookman University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.

"Robert Williams died pursuing his dream of serving others in the field of law enforcement,” Barker said in a statement. “Everyone here is deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic loss of this dedicated young man; and our thoughts and prayers go out to the Williams family and to everyone who knew and loved Robert."

His mother said her son would have been a tremendous public servant.

"He gave us inspiration, motivation, tried to be a positive role model to his siblings and only wanted to do better," White said.