Jacksonville, Florida. – The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office brings to light the 28-year-old murder of JSO Detective Lonnie Miller, hoping someone in the community will lead them to find the killer.
Detective Miller was murdered while answering a burglary call on May 6, 1995.
The burglary call was at a friend Miller’s business at 302 Basswood Street, which no longer exists, leaving only a fence surrounding an empty lot.
Miller decided to answer this call himself that night because he was familiar with the area and knew his employer.
When the officers on duty came to respond, Miller told them he could handle it on his own as this was most likely a false alarm.
There could also have been noticeable signs that the company had been burgled, said Travis Oliver, a homicide detective with the cold case units.
“At the time the business owner had guard dogs, so if someone robbed the company, the dogs would attack them,” Oliver said.
About 10 to 15 minutes after Miller sent the officers home, he was shot.
While Miller and his business owner, who was also his friend, were talking, they were approached and then shot by someone who had tried to rob them.
Detective Miller died at the scene, but his friend drove himself to the hospital and continues to assist in the investigation to this day.
“He gave a description but of course, if you were shot at the same time you get a description, it wouldn’t be accurate,” Oliver said.
Some leads came and went, but none led investigators to the killer.
“One of the problems we’ve had is the lack of physical evidence and witnesses coming forward,” Oliver said.
If you know anything about this case, you can contact JSO or Crimestoppers.
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