A rookie Haines City cop struggled for his gun and his life with four young men before they gained control and placed him on his knees. After prodding, one put the 9mm handgun behind the officer's head and fired a single shot.
Those vivid details from the early-morning slaying March 3, 1998, emerged this week as one of the men, Christopher B. Gamble, 27, accepted responsibility for his role in the killing of Officer Christopher Horner and in a series of restaurant and bank robberies in northeast Polk County that lasted more than a year.
"As the five struggled over Horner's weapon, Gamble . . . told Horner that if Horner would let go of his gun everything would be OK," according to a description of the attack in the plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Tampa. "Ultimately, the fourth accomplice fired one round into the back of Horner's head, instantly killing the officer."
Gamble pleaded guilty to 14 federal charges, each carrying lengthy prison terms that will run one after the other, and likely will spend the rest of his life behind bars. The agreement, received by prosecutors this week, removes execution as a penalty for Gamble's part in the officer's death. It was not clear when he would be sentenced, but his plea is expected to be presented to a judge next week.
Under the agreement, Gamble will help prosecutors and investigators in the case, including testifying against others involved in the slaying. He has agreed not to appeal his sentence, and prosecutors agreed to lessen some penalties in exchange for his cooperation.
Haines City police Chief Morris West said, "We still won't rest until they are all incarcerated."
Federal prosecutors would not comment Thursday about Gamble or any of the suspects because the case is ongoing. Defense attorney Daniel M. Hernandez did not return a call seeking comment.
"It certainly is satisfying not only to have an indictment, but a plea deal," Polk sheriff's Col. Grady Judd said. "Maybe not satisfying. We won't be satisfied until we have indictments on his co-defendants."
While the case was Haines City's to pursue, Judd said the Sheriff's Office worked closely with police and federal authorities to find out who killed Horner, 26.
A Haines City man, identified in federal court in May as Charles Andrew Fowler, 25, was described by prosecutors as the triggerman during a bail hearing on unrelated drug charges. He has not been charged or indicted in Horner's death.
"We have IDd all the people involved in the murder," Judd said, "and are working to make sure all are brought to justice."
According to the plea deal, Gamble contacted authorities more than two years ago and began cooperating in the investigation.
Gamble also faces hundreds of thousands of dollars of fines in connection with the crime spree beginning the morning of Horner's death and ending with a liquor-store robbery Sept. 11, 1999.