Friends remember slain Orange County deputy

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A former co-worker of the Orange County deputy who was shot and killed this week while confronting a burglary suspect said Jonathan Pine died doing the job that made him happy.

Channel 9's Kathi Belich sat down with the former co-worker and learned Pine left a career as a banker to follow his passion to help others.

One of Pine's friends told the Sheriff's Office it was in his nature to protect people.

Kevin Farrow used to work with Pine in the banking business, before Pine became a deputy.

Farrow said they would talk about Pine's dream of becoming an officer, largely because Farrow's five uncles are law enforcement officers in the Boston area.

“You could tell it’s what he really wanted to do, and he was passionate about it,” Farrow said.

Farrow said he last spoke with Pine several months ago.

They kept in touch over the years even after they no longer worked together.

He said Thursday he wishes that conversation was a little longer.

“He was just a good guy, and like, I'm not just saying this now because of what happened. I would have said the same thing if you asked me the Tuesday before this happened,” Farrow said.

When Pine applied to become a deputy with the Orange County Sheriff's Office, he wrote that he felt sort of helpless watching the news and seeing criminals raping, stealing, torturing and killing people.

He said he had a real passion for helping people and doing what is right.

That’s exactly what deputies said he was doing Monday night when he was ambushed and murdered by a suspected car burglar who likely didn't want to get caught and go back to prison.

Pine was shot and killed while investigating reported car break-ins in the Dr. Phillips area early Tuesday morning.

According to investigators, Benjamin Holtermann shot Pine three times, killing him.

Holtermann then shot and killed himself.

His girlfriend was also arrested.

Sheriff's officials said public viewing will be from 12:15 to 2 p.m. Saturday and Pine's funeral will begin at 2 p.m.
 
Pine's interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Gotha.
 
Orange County Sheriff's officials said in lieu of flowers the family would like donations to be made to either:
 
The Deputy Jonathan Scott Pine Memorial Fund established at the Orlando Federal Credit Union
(Donations may be made at any Orlando Federal Credit Union Branch)
 
or
 
The Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation
RE: Deputy Pine Memorial
Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation
3160 Southgate Commerce Boulevard 32806
Arnoldpalmermedicalcenter.fundly.com

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