Retired PCSO Sergeant Killed by Drunk Driver While Helping Others

iSkyNewsdesk | iSkyNews.com (ISC News)

Published March 18, 2025

A beloved retired Polk County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant, Dan Cooley, was struck and killed by a drunk driver Monday evening in Bartow. The heartbreaking accident happened as Cooley—always a public servant—pulled over to clear debris from the roadway.

A Good Man Taken Too Soon

It was around 7:40 p.m. on March 17, 2025, when Cooley, 69, noticed a large tote had fallen from his vehicle on Van Fleet Drive, just west of Walmart. Like the responsible man he was, he pulled over, turned on his hazard lights, and got out of his car to remove the obstruction.

At that moment, 50-year-old Aaron Wells of Winter Haven, who was driving a 2008 Jaguar S-Type, slammed into Cooley while traveling in the center lane. The impact was devastating.

First Responders Fought to Save Him

🚑 Emergency crews arrived quickly and did everything they could. Cooley was resuscitated multiple times on the way to Bartow Regional Medical Center, but sadly, his injuries were too severe. He did not survive.

Meanwhile, deputies on the scene immediately noticed something was wrong with Aaron Wells—he smelled of alcohol, had slurred speech, and watery eyes. Field sobriety tests confirmed their suspicions.

When taken to the Sheriff's Processing Center, Wells tried to manipulate his breathalyzer test by not giving enough air—but even then, he still blew a .092 and .105, well over the .08 legal limit. He later admitted to drinking several beers before getting behind the wheel.

Shockingly, an 11-year-old girl was in the car with him during the crash. Thankfully, she was not physically hurt.

Wells Faces Serious Charges

Wells was booked into the Polk County Jail and now faces:

✅ DUI Manslaughter (2nd-degree felony)

✅ Negligent Child Abuse (3rd-degree felony)

Sheriff Grady Judd’s Statement

"Sergeant Dan Cooley was a public servant for over 20 years and had been enjoying retirement for nearly as long when he was tragically and senselessly struck and killed by an impaired motorist. The driver clearly has no regard for human life – not only choosing to get behind the wheel drunk but doing so with a child in the car. Our prayers are with Dan Cooley’s family and loved ones."

Honoring Sergeant Dan Cooley’s Legacy

💙 Cooley dedicated over 20 years to serving Polk County, starting as a detention deputy in 1986 before being promoted to Sergeant in 2002. He retired in 2007, leaving behind a reputation as a compassionate and dedicated public servant.

The fact that he lost his life helping others, even in retirement, is a testament to the kind of man he was.

Drunk Driving Destroys Lives

This tragedy is yet another reminder that drunk driving kills. It doesn’t just affect the person behind the wheel—it shatters families, ends lives, and leaves communities grieving. If you’ve been drinking, DO NOT DRIVE. Call a friend, use a rideshare, or stay put. It’s not worth the risk.

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Retired PCSO Sergeant Killed by Drunk Driver While Helping Others