BELLE GLADE, Fla. — WPTV reporter Joel Lopez spoke with Deputy Basil Powell's family a day after the Belle Glade native was gunned down outside his home.
Not only was he a corrections deputy for the Palm Beach County Sheriff's office, but WPTV learned Tuesday that he was a father of two children.
Family tells WPTV reporter Joel Lopez the kind of man Deputy Basil Powell was
The family told WPTV that the shooting was a total shock. Lopez spoke with Powell's brother on the phone who said they're grieving and making funeral arrangements.
The fallen deputy's uncle stopped by the home on Tuesday morning.
Windell Powell said his nephew was a quiet guy who kept to himself. The family said they were very proud of Basil Powell for working as a corrections deputy. Basil has two children, a 15-year-old and a 7-year-old.
Belle Glade
Family, friends remember fallen deputy as caring, always putting family first
Windell Powell said he heard about the shooting this morning and drove in from Pahokee to check in on the family.
"I don't know who did it," Windell Powell said. "He didn't have a problem with anybody."
He doesn't know who the person responsible could be but said he hopes they are found and "put away for a long time."
"He is a good boy. ... He goes to work, comes home and stays in," Windell Powell said. "I don't know what to say. It impacts me bad. I feel it, very, very bad."
The family has asked for privacy and mentioned they recently lost another family member that they were preparing to lay to rest this Saturday.
