Not Buying the “Free State of Florida” Scam!

For many years – especially in the wake of COVID-19 and the so-called “Summer of Love,” which many would argue was anything but – Florida has been hailed as the “Free State,” promoting greater personal freedom, a wonderful economy, lower taxes, and a culture that respects and appreciates law enforcement. Don’t be fooled!  It is not the “Free State” – it’s the “Nanny State!” For law enforcement, you’re respected – even appreciated – right up until something embarrasses the politicians.  Then it’s no longer “Back the Blue.”  Suddenly, it’s “Screw the Blue.”  Support often seems unwavering until it’s politically inconvenient. I’m about to tell you a true story.  Fair warning: It’s equal parts heartbreaking and infuriating. Consider this your trigger warning.

This is the story of a young police officer with over four years on the job.  His first two years were spent working in the corrections division of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. He then fulfilled his dream of becoming a police officer, serving the next two years with the Temple Terrace Police Department in Florida.  By every measure, he was an outstanding officer.  He approached the profession with integrity, compassion, and a genuine commitment to serving his community.  He earned the respect of his fellow officers, the confidence of his supervisors, and the admiration of friends and family. Remarkably, even some of the people he had arrested later acknowledged that he treated them with fairness, dignity, and respect. This young officer worked hard.  He did his job exactly how he was trained.  No donuts in the breakroom for this kid.  He believed the public deserved an officer who was present, proactive, and engaged. So that is exactly the officer he was.

In fact, this officer led his agency in traffic stops, citations, and DUI arrests. For perspective, he made more DUI stops and arrests by himself than the entire Orlando Police Department did collectively in the same timeframe.  He was not just a great traffic warrior, however. When faced with a suspect armed with a machete, he talked the man into surrendering peacefully, bringing a dangerous confrontation to an end without anyone getting hurt. On another occasion, he came to the aid of a fellow officer who was being assaulted, helping bring the situation under control.  Those are just two examples among many that demonstrated the kind of officer communities hope is standing between them and danger.  

His performance did not go unnoticed. The department recognized both his productivity and professionalism by assigning him to the traffic unit full-time and entrusting him with an unmarked patrol vehicle – a responsibility typically reserved for officers who have earned the confidence of their supervisors. 

Then came April 15, 2026.

Just one week after his 25^th birthday, this young officer was heading to work.  But unlike the traditional image of policing – reporting to headquarters, attending roll call, and receiving assignments – his workday began differently.  As a full-time traffic officer, all he had to do was be inside the city limits and log into the department’s Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. Once he was in the city and logged in, he was officially on duty. The traffic unit operated differently than regular patrol. There was no formal roll call and no standard shift for this officer.  

Just four minutes after signing on, the officer spotted his first traffic violation of the day.  A vehicle emitting a thick plumb of dark exhaust, accelerating aggressively through the intersection.  The officer immediately activated his radar, which registered the vehicle at 112 miles per hour in a posted 50-mile-per-hour zone.  In a span of just a few seconds, the driver had committed serious traffic violations: speeding at more than twice the posted limit and running a red light. To the officer, this was exactly the kind of situation that endangered everyone else on the road and demanded an immediate response.   The officer was behind the speeding vehicle and was stopped by the very red light the suspect had just ignored. Cross traffic had already received a green signal, and vehicles were actively moving through the intersection. Rather than immediately activate his emergency equipment and force his way into the intersection, the officer waited until cross traffic had begun to clear. Only then did he activate his emergency lights and siren, allowing him to proceed cautiously through the red light while ensuring the intersection could be crossed safely. Once he had safely cleared the intersection, the officer turned his lights and siren off, PER HIS TRAINING, then accelerated rapidly and briefly, in an effort to close the distance and intercept the dangerous driver.  This was a six-lane divided highway, with all opposing traffic going the opposite direction. As a result, the officer’s direction of travel was nearly empty, leaving the travel lanes the officer was in virtually devoid of any other cars.  The officer moved to the center lane of the three available lanes on his side of the roadway.  Only nine seconds after clearing the intersection, he had the offending vehicle back in sight. 

 Then tragedy struck.  

A woman driving an SUV, her three young girls in the back seat, attempted a left turn across the westbound lanes of traffic from the opposite direction.  There was no traffic signal controlling that turn.  She was traveling eastbound and attempting to cross all three westbound lanes to reach a side street.  At the same time, the officer was traveling in the westbound center lane and had just visually reacquired the target vehicle when the woman’s SUV pulls into his lane.  The two vehicles collided almost immediately. The officer’s vehicle broadsided the SUV. After impact, both vehicles came to rest off the roadway, clear of the active travel lanes.  

Despite being seriously injured in the collision – including a severely broken foot that would later require reconstructive surgery, a partial ligament tear in his neck, and a concussion with head trauma and active bleeding – the officer immediately exited his vehicle to render aid.  Bleeding from multiple head lacerations, he moved as quickly as he could, limping but focused, and began coordinating emergency response over the radio.  At the same time, he worked to manage bystanders, urging good Samaritans to not move the injured occupants while help was en route. Despite his requests, they began moving the occupants before medics could arrive. Even while clearly disoriented and injured, he relayed information to responding supervisors, including details about the vehicle he had been attempting to stop.  Guess what? All of what you just read is 100% true and it is 100% recorded on both dashcam and body-worn camera footage.  

Sadly, and most unfortunately, one of the young girls in the SUV later succumbed to her injuries.  A devastating tragedy for that family and everyone involved.  As a human collective, I am sure we can all extend our thoughts, our prayers, and our hopes for healing to that family. I know I do.

Get ready to be triggered….  

Following the incident, the City of Temple Terrace (his employer), shockingly issued false statements asserting that the officer was not on duty at the time, was not engaged in police work, and was instead “late to work” and speeding to arrive on time.  This was clearly said to distant themselves from any negative spotlight of this unfortunate incident.  In the aftermath, State Attorney Suzy Lopez showed great recklessness by publicly casting dispersions on the officer, calling his actions “sickening,” without knowing any actual details of the case – and rather believing false statements that were made without any form of investigation at the time.

This documented lie formed the basis of the “investigation” by the Florida Highway Patrol, which in turn, led them to charge the officer with reckless driving and vehicular homicide.  The officer was terminated from his position and taken into custody.  He was forced to remain in jail for six days before a bond hearing was held.  You see, in Florida, if you are charged with homicide, you are forced to have a special bond hearing for pre-trial release.

The officer was held in a medical isolation ward.  At the time, he was still recovering from reconstructive surgery on his shattered foot, with multiple metal pins protruding from it, in addition to his other injuries.  He was denied transport to his scheduled medical appointments and was not permitted to follow his surgeon’s post-operative instructions.  Additionally, he could not bear weight on his foot or get his surgical bandages wet, so was unable to shower or properly care for himself despite needing bloody bandages changed out.  For an officer that had given his all to his profession every day, it was yet another insult to injury.

Perhaps the most shocking aspect of this insanity is this: he was never given an opportunity to provide his own statement about what happened! How in the world does that happen? To be extra clear, no one even asked him what happened!  Immediately after the crash, everyone told this young and trusting officer that everything will be okay.  While he was still in the emergency room, the officer was explaining to a member of his command staff that he was attempting to stop a reckless, speeding driver.  The supervisor immediately threw up his hands and said, “I didn’t hear that,” followed by, “Don’t talk to anyone,” and, “Wait for the union.” At one point, the union representative told the officer, “If FHP (Florida Highway Patrol) tries to come in here and talk to you without representation, you can tell them to kick sand.” That young impressionable officer again followed directions, and union representation further advised him to not say anything to anyone without counsel present, that this was just standard protocol.  The FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) union did secure a lawyer for the officer, who never met with him except by phone, and further instructed him to not say anything.  He trusted that his union representative and the lawyer were acting in his best interests. Believing their advice was both legally sound and necessary, he believed that he would eventually be given the opportunity to provide a full and accurate account of what had happened.  Why would he not believe that? That opportunity never came.  

On Thursday, April 23, while the officer was still recovering in the hospital room, two captains from his department arrived to serve him with notice that he was the subject of an internal affairs “investigation.”  According to the notice, he was being accused of improper use of police equipment, abusing his authority as a law enforcement officer, and tardiness! The officer was stunned!  Yet again, he followed the advice he had consistently been given by the FOP union representative and legal counsel: say nothing without us present. He trusted that the facts would speak for themselves and his opportunity to speak would soon come. 

On Friday, April 24, nine days after the accident, two Florida Highway Patrol troopers showed up at the officer’s hospital room while he was still recovering from his injuries, still on medication.  FHP was polite and courteous and asked the officer if he was up to giving an interview or statement.  The officer made a phone call on speaker to his union representative and legal counsel to see if they could come to the hospital and be present since again, this is how he was instructed to respond. They were unavailable and asked if they could reschedule the following week when they could all be together.  FHP politely responded, “No problem. We will schedule an interview next week with your lawyer.” 

That meeting would never happen.

After being discharged from the hospital, the officer was still far from independent.  His injuries were extensive, and he remained unable to take care of himself and his dog without assistance. He moved into his parents’ home where he could get help with his daily needs. 

On the evening of Tuesday, April 28 at 6:15 PM, two captains from Temple Terrace showed up at his parent’s residence to deliver notice that the officer is being instructed to be at Temple Terrace Police Department for a formal review of the “investigation” and meet with administration at noon the following day. He was still recovering and on medication but was willing to attend despite this being very minimal notice – less than 18 hours.  He called his union representative to request his presence at the meeting the next day. According to the union representative, this was essentially notice to go to a meeting to be fired because he had spoke with the police captain himself and was told such.   You know, fired for doing his job the way he was trained to do it!  The FOP union representative and union-provided counsel again tell the officer they cannot make the meeting the next day at the Temple Terrace Police Department with Internal Affairs and the Chief of Police. The union representative advised the officer was going to be fired regardless of what he says, and that he should skip the meeting.   No interview, no meeting, no true representation! Unacceptable!  The officer also is notified by the FOP union representative and his supplied attorney that Florida Highway Patrol is pressing charges, and the officer will need to surrender himself for arrest on Thursday, April 30^th at 8:00 AM at the Hillsborough County Jail.  Absolute shock and betrayal! Complete abandonment!  Considering all the facts are on body-worn cameras and dash cam footage, one would really wonder what sort of “investigation” was ever conducted! 

Now in a panic at being scapegoated and the subject of obviously political and malicious prosecution, the officer and his family scrambled to get additional legal counsel engaged for possible representation the following day at the meeting.  It was already after business hours so unfortunately no contact is made with additional counsel until the following morning on April 29.  The officer was still in substantial pain from injuries and on medication and had no ability to drive. He had metal pins sticking out of his right foot and five screws holding his foot together. Most importantly, he had no counsel or union representative available to join him at such short notice at the appointed time at the police department’s Internal Affairs meeting.  Strangely, the Chief of Police was unwilling to reschedule to a later time.  The officer’s simple request to reschedule the meeting until counsel could be present is wrongfully denied.  Why?! The officer is terminated from his position.  Having just lost the career he had worked so hard to build, the officer knew he was expected to surrender himself to jail – the same jail he worked at for two years. For him, it was yet another devastating blow in an ordeal that had already turned his life upside down. 

With the support of his family, the officer ultimately retained independent legal counsel.  However, by that point, significant decisions in the process had already been set in motion.  Florida Highway Patrol said they would not reschedule the surrender to the jail so that the officer had more time to medically recover and to make his scheduled follow-up appointment with his surgeon. The legal counsel provided by the union even went so far as to say that his surrender at the jail would be an “in and out, very brief formality.” The officer was told he would be booked and then almost immediately released, returning home the same day. The advice proved to be a complete misinterpretation of the law. 

The officer, with backing of his family, retained the legal counsel he should have been supplied with, but much was already too late to stop.  Florida Highway Patrol said they would not reschedule the surrender till the officer has more time to medically recover and to make scheduled doctor’s appointments.  In a true show of honor, courage, and commitment, the officer agreed to honor the “deal” the union provided legal counsel and Florida Highway Patrol made for his surrender, even after being told it would not be an in-and-out experience that he would be in jail till Tuesday at least.

On Tuesday, May 5, after five days of isolation and the lackluster of comfort that is jail in the first place, the officer attends the appointed pre-trial release bail hearing.  Cameras from various news media film him unwashed, unkempt, in prison orange, and in a wheelchair.  A complete travesty something like this could really happen to an honorable cop!  A couple of dishonest members from his own agency take the stand against him during the hearing, supporting the assertion that he was not on duty at the time of the crash and was late for work. The testimony given was inaccurate and at least one member of his own command staff lied while under oath.  This sergeant said he was unaware of the officer doing any police work at all, yet it is on body cam footage at the scene where the officer is laying on the ground telling this same sergeant he was trying to catch up to the speeding car. Yes, it is documented!  I have the receipts!  Fortunately, the young officer’s new legal counsel was able to draw out and dismantle this big, bold lie and evidence proved the officer was “already at work for four minutes” before this fateful accident.  The young officer who only wanted to protect innocent people, serve the greater good, and be an honorable cop had to listen as the assistant state attorney cast him as a horrible monster who should be locked up, should never drive again, and is a menace to society.  

Florida Highway Patrol is also not acting in the most honorable light in this case either.  The “investigating” trooper even stated on the stand that had he been informed that the officer was acting in a law enforcement capacity would that have bearing on his “investigation” and the trooper stated it would.  Why didn’t you find out first then?  Why is Florida Highway Patrol no longer being called on for assistance in Tampa City Limits?  Is it because their own troopers have a recent history of causing mass casualties because of their chase procedures?  Did you find it politically appealing to target a fellow cop doing exactly what you do every day to show that it wasn’t just your own agency?

What planet are we on?  This was a traffic accident in the line of duty! While horrible and tragic, it was an accident! Not the careless actions of some dopehead or drunkard behind the wheel or some kid out for kicks in a hotrod.  This is a case involving a highly regarded officer acting in the line of duty, consistent with his training, with both body-worn camera and dashcam footage available that apparently no one even bothered to examine, and certainly no one afforded the officer his fair opportunity to make a statement!

Fortunately, despite attempts by the state attorney’s office at the hearing to have the officer be kept in jail without bail, the new legal counsel’s presentation to the judge successfully challenged the state’s position.  The officer was granted bail set at $90,000, prohibited from driving despite being medically unable to do so, and was inexplicably required to wear an ankle monitor.  Actualcriminals walk away with far less restrictions. Furthermore, in the amazing speed of government, it would still be another inexcusable 24 hours before Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office would be able to release the officer, even though bail had been posted immediately after the court hearing the day before.  

The officer, now back at his parents’ home finally on May 6, waits for what is deemed inevitable – the State Attorney’s Office to file charges.  The new legal counsel submits a letter to the state attorney’s office highlighting all the flaws of the initial investigation, the bold-faced lies, and the errors that were made in leading up to this entirely politically-motivated case.  He offers a meeting to sit down and discuss the case together. Unfortunately, since politicians don’t ever want to appear like they made a mistake, even in good faith, the state attorney’s office eventually goes on to ignore the letter and to file charges on June 2.  The officer is scheduled for arraignment on July 13, 2026. 

Now, let’s pull back the covers a little bit farther.  Many will point out that the officer should not have turned off his lights. However, many will not realize this is how law enforcement is trained.  How many of you have ever been pulled over by the cops for any reason?  You would likely know they almost always race up on you with their lights off, get two inches from your bumper, and then turn on their lights.  This is a tactic that they are taught and trained on.  In fact, in the absolute insanity of this situation, Florida Highway Patrol (just last week) posted videos to social media of one of their troopers hitting 124 MPH with their lights off going after a speeding vehicle.  It is a minutes-long span before the trooper overtakes the speeder and then turns on his lights.  The message of the social media post? A big congratulations to the trooper for a job well done!  Seriously, folks, you can’t make it up.  Cops across the state – even the country – use the same maneuver, the same tactic, and the same technique.  It’s almost like they – dare I say it again – are trained that way!

In this case, and only because tragedy struck, the officer is being crucified by the powers that be.  Had the officer not been in the wreck and was able to apprehend the reckless driver/speeder, he would have been commended, congratulated, and held up as a fine example of law enforcement.  But in this unfortunate case where a collision occurred, he is unfairly and ridiculously held out to be an evil incarnate.  

Let’s throw in some more insult to injury:  Since the officer was fired over the incident, his medical benefits were rescinded and even his workmans’ compensation file was denied.  All medical procedures, follow-ups, and bills from the incident are now out of his own pocket.  He has no job and no income.  He has received notice that his Driver’s License is suspended.  He will have to schedule and pay administrative costs to have a hearing for a hardship ruling, if even permitted.  He has lost his apartment from being unable to pay his bills.  He is 25, injured and on crutches, and without any financial means.  All this stemming from the fabricated story Temple Terrace told to “investigators.” This entire situation is pure madness and utterly insane! 

“Free State of Florida?” Yeah, right!  No, in this state, the politicians are no better than the deep blue states.  It’s here where the former attorney general, Ashley Moody, now running for US senate, sends out fundraising advertisements boldly declaring “Back the Blue.”  It’s where the current attorney general, James Uthmeirer, is too busy to properly supervise the attorneys ultimately representing the state’s prosecutions because he’s too busy filing lawsuits against TikTok because they didn’t warn people “it could be addictive.” 

Now, I am all for reevaluating and improving the techniques and tactics used by law enforcement.  In many situations today, policing has become far more tactical than the circumstances require at times. There is certainly room for reform where different approaches could better serve both officers and the communities they protect.  But let me tell you something! You don’t start the reform by targeting the honest, honorable, heroic, courageous, duty bound, young cop for a traffic accident!  He wasn’t using his firearm carelessly or doing anything evil. At the end of the day, it was a CAR ACCIDENT, for God’s sake. Not some intentional act of violence. None of this should amount to having the young man’s life forever destroyed and taken from him.  Let him heal. Let him recover. Let him mend. This the sort of cop you want out there protecting the communities.  

The officer in this case is Zachary Krug.  

He is my son.  

I am his incredibly proud and fiercely-protective father.  I have watched him endure fear, uncertainty, sadness, sleepless nights, and the powers that have unfairly aligned themselves against him.  Yet through it all, he has remained calm, composed, courageous, and determined.  He has truth and evidence on his side and believes it will ultimately prevail, as do I.  No one will ever convince me my son lacks honor or integrity.  I have watched him dedicate himself to serving his community, fully prepared to put his life on the line for the greater good. He acted in good faith that afternoon, carrying out his duties as a traffic officer working to prevent what he thought could be an imminent catastrophe. Tragically, despite his intentions and actions in the line of duty, an unforeseen tragedy occurred. Yet throughout this entire unjust done to him, he is still far more honorable than the weak and pathetic persons that have taken his career, and those that are attempting to take his freedom.  

Cops – Don’t be cops. It is not worth your time, your life, or your mental or physical well-being.  You can make more money doing something else and not have your life and freedom forfeited because a politician makes a complete ass of themselves.  Cops – Don’t trust the politicians and the administration behind the scenes.  The grass isn’t any greener here in Florida than anywhere else.  As stated in the beginning, it is only “Back the Blue” until it is time to “Screw the Blue.”  The “Free State of Florida?” Sorry, Governor DeSantis.  Not seeing it right now.