SANTA ROSA COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Sheriff Wendell Hall

Murder Suspect Arrested During Traffic Stop on Interstate 10

A first degree murder suspect wanted out of Orange County , Florida , was arrested yesterday following a traffic stop on Interstate 10 in Milton . On the morning of 2/28/2008 , K-9 Deputy Roman Jackson was patrolling the interstate when he observed red Chevrolet traveling at 97 miles per hour in a 70 mile per hour speed zone. Deputy Jackson conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle, at which time he utilized his K-9 “Banja” to conduct a perimeter search of the vehicle for narcotics. “Banja” alerted on the vehicle, signing to Deputy Jackson that narcotics were present inside the vehicle. Other deputies arrived and a search was conducted of the vehicle and its passengers. The front passenger gave Jackson the name “William Riddle”. “Riddle” was found to be in possession of three baggies of marijuana in his pants pockets. A rear seat passenger, Anthony Coleman, was also searched and found to be in possession of a loaded.357 handgun. Coleman is a convicted felon. “Riddle” and Coleman were arrested and transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail. On 2/29/2008 , deputies entered “Riddle's” fingerprints into the nationwide system and found that he was actually Eric Burton, who is wanted out of Orange County , Florida , for first degree murder. Burton has been arrested more than 60 times. The murder happened early New Year's Day morning, when Burton fired a gun into a group of men outside a nightclub in Orange County . The murder was committed due to Burton thinking that the men had parked their car too close to Burton 's car in the nightclub parking lot. A 23 year old man was killed and two others were injured. Burton is currently being held at the Santa Rosa County Jail on local charges with a hold in place for the Orange County warrant. Deputy Jackson has been serving with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office for 5 years. He has been a K-9 deputy for 2 years. Deputy Jackson was seriously wounded in May 2004 after being shot three times during an ambush in Milton . Deputy Jackson made a full recovery and has received numerous awards and commendations for his bravery and heroism during the line of duty. Photographs of both arrested suspects are attached to this email.

SUSPECTS:

Eric Tyrone Burton, B/M, 28 years old, Address Unknown

LOCAL CHARGES:

Providing False Identification to Law Enforcement

Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, $10,000.00 Bond

Anthony Lorenzo Coleman, Jr. , B/M, 25 years old, Orlando , FL

LOCAL CHARGES:

Carrying a Concealed Firearm, $7,500.00 bond

Press Release By:

Sgt. Scott Haines

Media Relations Unit

(850) 981-2136 or shaines@srso.net