The Deadly Risks of Serving Eviction Notices: What Recent Line-of-Duty Deaths Reveal
Gunfire erupts during eviction service, taking the life of Deputy Sweeting-Mashkow and injuring others.
A Florida sheriff’s deputy was killed in the line of duty while serving an eviction notice Friday morning, officials said. "It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Deputy Terri Sweeting-Mashkow, who was killed in the line of duty on November 21st, 2025 while faithfully serving our community," the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office in Vero Beach wrote on its social media Friday afternoon.
"Her loss is felt deeply by every member of our agency, as well as by the community she served with pride." Sweeting-Mashkow had reported to a home at Bermuda Club, a gated community in Vero Beach where a mother was evicting her son, identified as Michael Halberstam.
"What an awful day. Six days before Thanksgiving," Flowers told reporters.
Once Sweeting-Mashkow, other deputies and a locksmith arrived in the entryway to the home, Halberstam allegedly grabbed a gun and began "indiscriminately firing at our deputies on scene."
Another deputy was shot in the shoulder and is recovering, and the locksmith is in surgery in critical condition, Flowers said. The suspect is also in critical condition after deputies fired back at him.
Veteran court officer Robert Silver killed while serving an eviction notice in Clay Township.
In late December 2023, a veteran court officer named Robert Silver was shot and killed while serving an eviction notice at a home in Clay Township, Michigan. The suspect in that case was arrested and charged with murder.
Details of the Incident
- Victim: Robert Silver, a 66-year-old court officer who had served the county for 35 years.
- Location: A residence in the 6100 block of Genaw Road in Clay Township, St. Clair County, Michigan.
- Date: December 28, 2023.
- Circumstances: Silver was last heard from before attempting to serve the eviction notice. After he was unreachable for several hours, police responded to the scene and found him dead from apparent gunshot wounds.
- Suspect: Michael Stickler, 49, was taken into custody after a brief standoff with police. He was charged with murder and held on a $1 million bond.
-
The timing of the incident was particularly tragic as Silver's mother and sister had recently died in a house fire three weeks prior, and his murder occurred on the day of their celebration of life service.
