Hillsborough deputy to be honored by Crist for heroism

Hillsborough sheriff’s Deputy Malachi McCoy hugs his father on Sept. 9, 2008, after receiving the Medal of Honor from Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee. McCoy shot and killed a man who had gone on a shooting rampage on June 7 and already killed three people. [JOHN PENDYGRAFT | Times]

TAMPA -- Malachi McCoy, the Hillsborough sheriff's deputy whose sniper shot ended a man's deadly rampage in June, will be honored tomorrow by Gov. Charlie Crist.

McCoy, 29, will receive the Medal of Heroism from Crist during an 11 a.m. ceremony at the state Capitol in Tallahassee. Governor's spokesman Sterling Ivy said it will be the first such medal Crist has bestowed since taking office. Former Gov. Jeb Bush presented 13 during his time in office.

On the morning of June 7, McCoy shot and killed Jorge Bello Garcia, 54, as he struggled on the ground with another deputy he'd just shot, Deputy Ray Wilson.

McCoy was one of several deputies who conducted a traffic stop on Garcia at Linebaugh Avenue and Henderson Road after being warned that Garcia had just killed three people -- his estranged wife and her two friends.

Garcia shot Wilson and Deputy Arturo "Art" Lence, as they tried to apprehend him. McCoy ran toward the wounded Wilson as Garcia tried to wrestle his gun out of his hand, and fired a fatal shot into Garcia.

In September, McCoy received the Sheriff's Office Medal of Honor from Sheriff David Gee for his actions in the incident. Deputies Lence and Wilson each received the Silver Cross. To read about that recognition, click here.

At the time, all three deputies said that while they appreciated the recognition, they could not lose sight of the fact that three others died that day: Gina Marie Lamantia-Bello, 44, Garcia's estranged wife and the mother of two; and two of her friends — Hillsborough Fire Rescue Capt. Chris Artigas, 45, and Regina Ann Coffaro, 44.

To read earlier coverage of the actual shooting, click here.

Rebecca Catalanello, Times Staff Writer

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