Deputies remember their fallen friend

Putting on a uniform rejuvenated John Mecklenburg.

His fellow trainee and friend Michael Junker, a veteran of another sheriff's agency, tried to keep him grounded. He warned about the drawbacks of the job – the paperwork, the hours, the unruly suspects, etc.

Ironically, Mecklenburg lifted Junker. His enthusiasm was contagious.

The two men started their new jobs with the Hernando County Sheriff's Office on the same day more than two years ago.

"He told me, 'I figured out what I wanted to do in life,'" said Junker, who paused a moment to keep his raw emotions hidden.

"It was such a pleasure to talk to John," he continued. "He was so upbeat. He was a glass-is-half-full guy. He was a breath of fresh air."

Mecklenburg, 35, died Sunday from injuries sustained in a fatal accident during a high-speed chase with a suspect. His car swerved off U.S. 41 in Pasco County near the intersection of Painter Place and rammed into a tree, authorities said.

Sgt. George Smith, who supervised Mecklenburg, said he was dedicated, compassionate and always willing to sacrifice.

"Everything he did was done to the fullest and done with people's interest at heart," Smith said.

Smith said Mecklenburg, a U.S. Army veteran and former truck driver, was a unique asset to the agency from his first day on the job.

He began his law enforcement career while in his 30s. He came with real-world knowledge of a seasoned veteran and the exuberance of someone out of college.

"We could be having the worst night of our lives and he'd walk in and light up a room," said Smith. "He loved life, loved this place and loved his family."

Sunday's chase began about 4 a.m. in Brooksville after a sergeant and police officer noticed a 1991 Honda Accord – driven by Michael James Anthony, 35, of Silver Springs – traveling south along the northbound lanes, said Brooksville Police Chief George Turner.

Moments later, after Anthony had traveled beyond the city limits, a deputy forced Anthony off the road using what the sheriff's office calls a "precision immobilization technique," but the suspect took off again as deputies moved in to arrest him, according to the sheriff's office.

Turner said the suspect was driving "in a very reckless manner" through the city and beyond.

Deputy Wendy McGinnis, a sheriff's spokeswoman, said Anthony's vehicle was traveling south in the northbound lanes "for several miles."

Sgt. Brandon Ross was the first to lose control of his vehicle and he crashed near the intersection of U.S. 41 and Ayers Road. He was treated and released from the hospital.

The pursuit continued through Pasco and Hillsborough counties and into Pinellas County. After Mecklenburg's crash, several witnesses noticed Anthony's reckless driving and contacted law enforcement, deputies said.

Eventually, Anthony's car was found near Interstate 275 in Pinellas. He emerged from the bushes and surrendered, according to reports.

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.

Mecklenburg was airlifted to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, where he was pronounced dead at 9:21 a.m.

A native of Green Bay, Wisc., and graduate of Springstead High School, Mecklenburg is survived by his wife, Penny, and two children, 4-year-old Andrew and 20-month-old Jessica.

Those in dispatch knew and admired Mecklenburg. They said he brought levity to an otherwise stressful job and he was frequently relied upon to respond swiftly to every call. Distance never was an issue.

"He was our go-to guy," said dispatcher Kim Purchase. "He would be picking up calls on his way to work. If someone needed back-up, he was always there."

Junker said Mecklenburg would readily respond to a call outside his coverage zone if it was something he had never seen or worked before. Everything interested him, his friend said.

A few months ago, dispatcher John Ramos told Mecklenburg of a conversation he and his co-workers had just before their shifts ended. They spoke about the deputies they liked and respected the most.

Ramos told Mecklenburg his name was mentioned.

"I remember he sounded so appreciative," Ramos said. "I think he was taken aback because he didn't ever see himself that way … It was true though. Deputies don't come any better than him. He was the best."

Deputy Vincent Spallino worked closely with Mecklenburg for a year. The two bonded instantly because they were both U.S. Army veterans. Spallino said he admired his friend for his patience and his even-keeled demeanor. He knew how to deal with people.

No matter the circumstances, he was unflappable.

"He was one of those guys where if you went on a call and found out he was on the same call, you felt a lot better about going on that call," said Spallino.