'He understood love with his actions': Polk Deputy Blane Lane remembered

LAKELAND – Outside Victory Church on Tuesday morning, Polk County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Lt. Darlene Rivas recalled a lot about the personality of her colleague, 21-year-old Deputy Blane Lane.

Rivas, the supervisor of Lane’s shift, said the young deputy was always joking, spoke friendly to everyone, praised the Lord often and developed good relationships with other law enforcement officers and the community.

Inside the 2,500-capacity church sanctuary on Griffin Road, prior to the 10 a.m. service for the slain deputy, images and videos echoed those sentiments: shots of Lane lovingly playing with his young daughter, Kate; pictures of him wrestling with friends; recordings of him playing guitar; and images of him interacting with family, friends and neighbors.

Lane was shot and killed in the early morning of Oct. 4 while he and three other deputies were serving a warrant in Polk City for Cheryl Lynn Williams, 46, on a charge of failure to appear for possession of methamphetamine. While Lane stood guard outside the mobile home, two other deputies inside the home opened fire when Williams pulled a weapon. One of the bullets hit lane in the arm, then entered his chest. He died at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center.

From about 8:30 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, a steady stream of law enforcement representing agencies from across the state filed into the pews at Victory Church. Lane’s U.S. flag-draped casket was placed in front of the stage, tended by a Sheriff’s Office honor guard.

Previously: Polk sheriff's deputy killed by friendly fire serving warrant in Polk City

'Wanted to be the next Grady Judd': Polk County Deputy Blane Lane was 'living his dream'

The hourlong service opened with remarks and prayer by Eric Holm, PCSO lead chaplain, who invoked God to bring “the peace and comfort that you our creator can give.”

Although family and friends said Lane inspired to go into law enforcement for most of his life, he had just become a deputy on the Northwest District Patrol in January. He graduated Polk State College law enforcement-detention academy in September 2020 and was hired as a detention deputy in May 2021.

Despite Lane’s short career as a patrol deputy, Sheriff Grady Judd praised him and the other deputies for “doing exactly what they should’ve done, what they’re trained to do and what I expected them to do.”

“Tragically, Deputy Sheriff Blane Lane lost is life in that necessary gunfire. Please remember, you sleep soundly with those you love only because of Deputy Sheriff Lane and his law enforcement colleagues around the nation and the world,” he said. “They’re busy standing between the gap of good and evil to keep you safe from violent, despicable criminals."

Judd said Lane was a “remarkable deputy” and recalled taking a picture with Lane when the deputy was a young lad who told him he wanted to be a deputy — and eventually sheriff — when he grew up.

“Deputy Sheriff Blane Lane served with valor and honor. Now, he has passed the torch to all of us…who must serve with the same energy, the same enthusiasm, the same sense of urgency as Blane Lane. We’ll do that in his honor,” Judd said.

Judd’s presentation was followed by comments from some of Lane’s family, including his grandfather Darrel Sodders, sister Maddix Lane and father, Wayne Lane, who praised the outpouring of support for his son from the community and beyond.

“I thank everybody,” he said. “Blane, I love you; you’re my son. I’m proud of you and will see you again.”

The ceremony inside the church concluded with words from Victory Church Pastor Justin Stewart, who recalled Lane’s penchant for quoting Bible scriptures from memory and playing pranks – placing fake parking tickets on the minister’s car.

“To watch someone pursue their goals and dreams had an impact on my life. Blane showed he understood love with his actions,” he said.

The memorial service concluded with officers, the family and guests gathering outside the church for final law enforcement formalities, including folding and presenting the U.S. flag to Lane’s family, a three-volley gun salute by the honor guard and the playing of “Amazing Grace” by the PSCO Bagpipe Players.

Then, a final roll call was read over the PA system: “The Polk County Sheriff’s Office advised Dep. Blane Lane is 10-87 for the final time.”

“Taps” was played as PSCO deputies serving as pallbearers wheeled Lane into a hearse for his final ride to Oak Hill Cemetery in Lakeland, where he is interred.

In lieu of flowers, Lane's family has requested donations to Polk Sheriff's Charities, Inc. be made in his memory. Donations can be made by visiting polksheriff.org/donate and in the dropdown menu, select “To PSCI in lieu of flowers in memory of Deputy Sheriff Blane Lane.”

Those who wish to donate to the Lane family directly can select the drop-down option of "To the family of Deputy Sheriff Blane Lane."

Donations made via check can be written and mailed to: Polk Sheriff’s Charities, c/o Polk County Sheriff’s Office, 1891 Jim Keene Blvd., Winter Haven, FL 33880.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Funeral held for Polk Deputy Blane Lane, killed in friendly fire