Two deputies from the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office are being formally recognized for their extraordinary bravery during one of the most tragic incidents in the agency’s history. Deputy Florentino Arizpe and Sergeant Gary Farless have been nominated for the prestigious LEO Awards following their heroic actions during a deadly eviction shooting that claimed the lives of a fellow deputy and a local civilian late last year.
The harrowing incident unfolded on November 21, 2025. What was expected to be a routine procedure quickly escalated into a fatal ambush. The team, consisting of Deputy Terri Sweeting Mashkow, Deputy Arizpe, Sergeant Farless, and locksmith David Long, arrived at the residence to finalize an eviction. According to Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers, Deputy Mashkow had visited the property just a day prior to serve the final notice, making the return visit a standard law enforcement duty.
Tragically, the situation deteriorated the moment the door was breached. As Long unlocked the residence, the suspect inside immediately opened fire on the team, who were caught in a highly vulnerable hallway crossfire. The sudden barrage of bullets struck three of the four individuals present.
The sudden attack during a routine eviction in Indian River County resulted in a deadly crossfire, tragically claiming the lives of Deputy Terri Sweeting Mashkow and locksmith David Long, while highlighting the exceptional resilience of the surviving deputies who neutralized the threat.
Deputy Arizpe was struck in the shoulder by the first shot, while Long suffered a fatal wound from the second. The third shot struck Deputy Mashkow. Despite being severely wounded and bleeding, Deputy Arizpe retreated to the garage and remained actively engaged in the firefight. Sergeant Farless, who also fell back inside the home to secure a tactical position, provided critical support and maintained absolute composure under intense pressure.
Sheriff Flowers noted that body camera footage from the incident demonstrated the deputies’ unwavering resolve. Sergeant Farless immediately got on the radio to relay information to dispatch, acting with a calm demeanor that helped ground the team during the chaotic ambush. Both Farless and Arizpe continued to return fire, refusing to back down despite the life-threatening circumstances.
Before succumbing to her injuries, Deputy Mashkow also managed to return fire, striking the suspect and forcing him to retreat to a bedroom to reload his weapon. When the shooter re-emerged to continue the assault, Deputy Arizpe, despite his significant gunshot wound, fired the final, decisive shot that killed the suspect and ended the threat to the public and his fellow officers.
The loss of Deputy Mashkow and David Long has left a lasting impact on the Treasure Coast community and the entire Indian River County Sheriff’s Office. The department has implemented several touching tributes to honor Mashkow’s sacrifice:
- Angel wings now adorn her official patrol vehicle.
- Her photograph is prominently displayed across the department’s walls.
- Permanent memorials have been established within the agency to ensure her legacy is never forgotten.
The nomination of Deputy Arizpe and Sergeant Farless for the LEO Awards serves as a testament to their profound dedication to public safety. Their actions that day exemplified the highest standards of law enforcement, proving their willingness to protect the Treasure Coast community and stand by their fellow officers in the face of unimaginable danger.
