Pubdate: Fri, 25 Jun 2004 Source: Bradenton Herald (FL) Copyright: 2004 Bradenton Herald Contact: http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradentonherald/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/58 Author: Aimee Juarez, Herald Staff Writer Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04.n900.a08.html POLICE LINK STOLEN WEAPON TO SUICIDE They Say The Gun Was Removed From A Sheriff's Bailiff's House Without Any Sign Of Forced Entry BRADENTON - Police believe a 26-year-old man shot and killed himself with a stolen gun that belonged to a sheriff's bailiff. Police say the nickname "KT" links Bethel Clayton Buzbee III to the stolen .45-caliber, semi-automatic handgun Bradenton Police officers found in his hand June 18. Buzbee shot himself in the head to avoid arrest after authorities say he sold $40 worth of heroin to a police informant and led officers on a high-speed chase. According to an incident report dated June 2, Bradenton Police say the handgun was stolen from a safe inside the home of Tom Post, who is a bailiff at the Manatee County jail. "Post stated that since there were no forced entry marks to either his home or his safe, he believes that it may have been taken by someone with access to his house," the report states. Post told officers that he had problems with a man known as "KT," who kept calling Post's home in the 500 block of 11th Street West to speak with Post's daughter. Post, who did not accuse anyone of stealing the handgun in the June 2 police report, declined to comment on the burglary Thursday afternoon. Manatee County jail spokesman Randy Warren said corrections deputies are not issued service weapons or firearms. Mark Falkoski, 20, a passenger in Buzbee's car Friday, told police that Buzbee was also known as "KT," Bradenton Police spokesman Maj. J.J. Lewis said. Falkowski said his car had broken down and that Buzbee had agreed to give him a ride. A police source informed detectives that Buzbee, who had been arrested numerous times on drug-related charges, had 20 to 25 bags of heroin in his car after purchasing the heroin Friday. At one point, Buzbee began shooting at officers, according to the reports. Buzbee was taken to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, where he died later that day. Police searched a duplex he rented in the 4900 block of 19th Street West and found two guns, multiple syringes and drug paraphernalia. Lewis said the case remains under investigation. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin