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WATCH: Fallen Indian River County sergeant remembered as 'angel' who changed lives during 25-year career

Sweeting-Mashkow was fatally shot Nov. 21 while serving an eviction notice

WPTV

The funeral for Indian River County Sgt. Terri Sweeting-Mashkow was held on Dec. 2, 2025.

By: Scott Sutton

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and last updated

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla. — Friends and family of a fallen Indian River County sergeant gathered Tuesday to honor the life of a law enforcement officer who died in the line of duty last month.

Sgt. Terri Sweeting-Mashkow died Nov. 21 when a resident opened fire while deputies attempted to serve an eviction notice at a home in the Bermuda Club community located north of Indian River Shores. The shooting killed both Sweeting-Mashkow and locksmith David Long.

WATCH BELOW: Emotional funeral held for fallen Indian River Co. sergeant

Funeral held for fallen Indian River County Sgt. Terri Sweeting-Mashkow

Sweeting-Mashkow, 47, who served with the Indian River County Sheriff's Office for 25 years, was remembered as a devoted wife, mother, friend and animal lover who cherished her family and her three dogs.

The nearly two-hour service was held at the Corporate Air Hangar in Vero Beach.

Sheriff Eric Flowers said the hangar where the service took place had room for about 2,300 people, with an additional 1,000 spaces for standing only.

WATCH BELOW: Sheriff Eric Flowers says sergeant was 'loved by this agency and this community'

Sheriff Eric Flowers: Sgt. Sweeting-Mashkow was 'loved by this agency and this community'

"She was one of those people who you could count on no matter what," Flowers said. "You knew she would always be there for you. She was a friend of everyone."

Agencies from across the country attended Tuesday's service.

"Many in the audience today were trained by Terri, and I know all of them would openly profess they are better cops for having been trained by Terri," Flowers said during Tuesday's funeral.

WATCH BELOW: Pastor reads message from fallen deputy's husband who calls her 'the best wife'

Husband calls fallen sergeant 'the best wife' & 'authentically good'

Flowers recounted a story of a resident, who had been previously arrested by Sweeting-Mashkow several times, coming to the sheriff's office after the sergeant was fatally shot to pay her respects.

"Even while being arrested, Terri told her, 'You are so much more than this. You're smart, you're beautiful, but you have to get your mind right,'" Flowers recounted.

The person said that Sweeting-Mashkow would frequently check on her well-being. Flowers said the woman eventually got her life back on track, returned to school and earned her high school diploma.

"Terri attended her graduation," Flowers said. "(The woman recounted), 'Terri was an angel then, and she's an angel now. I thank the lord for her.'"

WATCH BELOW: WPTV Kate Hussey's report

Thousands gather after 'tragic, untimely' death of beloved fallen Indian River Co. sergeant

Retired Indian River County Deputy Kathy Gibson, a close friend and co-worker of Sweeting-Mashkow for two decades, recounted the sergeant's love for her job and family.

"If you had the honor of meeting Terri, you would instantly be drawn to her," Gibson said. "Her smile would light up the room. Her wit would draw you in, and her laugh would cause you to do the same."

Gibson said Sweeting-Mashkow worked most of her career in the Gifford community and knew the majority of the residents, and they knew her.

"They all respected her, hence why she was nicknamed, "The Mayor of Gifford," Gibson said. "Terri was an excellent cop. She handled her business and did so with the utmost strength, honor and courage. Her work ethic and love for the job were tremendous."

WATCH BELOW: Best friend of sergeant says her smile 'would light up the room'

Sgt. Terri Sweeting-Mashkow's smile 'would light up the room'

The fallen sergeant's kind heart, but toughness was a common trait that Tuesday's speakers highlighted.

"She was the best cop for every call," Gibson said. "She would be down on one knee, talking with a child, (showing) her tender, kind and caring side, or she could be the most firm and effective law enforcement officer who took care of business."

Flowers said that some 911 callers would ask for Sweeting-Mashkow by name to respond to their service call.

"She was firm in her enforcement of the law, but what earned her the respect, even in those she arrested, was that Terri was fair. Tough on the outside, but a tender heart and a soft spot for the downtrodden," Flowers said. "But if you were a bad guy and you did something to make that smile go away, things were not going to end well for you, but if you treated her with respect, even if you did wrong, you would get that respect reciprocated."

According to Flowers, Sweeting-Mashkow received the following awards during her 25 years of service with the agency:

Life Saving in 2008
Honorable Service in 2015
Exceptional Duty in 2019
Grand Cordon in 2020

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state and local lawmakers were in attendance.

To honor Sweeting-Mashkow's memory and service, DeSantis directed U.S. and state of Florida flags to be flown at half-staff at all local and state buildings, installations and grounds throughout Indian River County from sunrise to sunset on Tuesday.

WATCH BELOW: Procession held ahead of funeral for fallen sergeant

Procession held for Sgt. Terri Sweeting-Mashkow ahead of funeral

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