In November, Loyd was found guilty of murder in the 2017 death of Orlando Police Lieutenant Debra Clayton. At the time of the killing, Loyd was also facing life in prison for killing Sade Dixon, his pregnant ex-girlfriend. He was found guilty of first-degree murder in Dixon’s case in October of 2019.
Loyd, 46, will join 316 others on death row in Florida, according to the state Department of Corrections. Statistics gathered by Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty said Florida ranks second in the country in the largest amount of death row inmates but ranks first for most exonerations since 1973.
WOFL-TV reported that Loyd had an outburst as the decision was read and had to be led out of the courtroom. The Orlando County Jail confirmed to the local outlet that he was in an “incident” with authorities at the jail Tuesday. He was also accused of attacking two corrections officers on Monday.
The death penalty decision, which Judge Leticia Marques made several months after a jury recommended it, received support from many of those who knew Clayton.
In a tweet, Orange County Sheriff John Mina, who was the Orlando Police Department’s chief at the time of Clayton’s death, said Loyd has “caused so much suffering” for the families of Clayton, Dixon and Deputy First Class Norman Lewis, who died in a 2017 motorcycle crash while searching for Clayton’s killer, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
“Very pleased that Judge Marques sentenced cop killer Loyd to death,” Mina wrote. “Rest in peace Lt. Debra Clayton.”
Clayton encountered Loyd outside of a Walmart in January of 2017, when he was wanted for killing Dixon and shooting Dixon’s brother the month before, according to her Officer Down Memorial Page. When Clayton was informed Loyd was inside the store, she approached the building. Loyd then exited the store and opened fire. After shooting her, he stole a car to flee the scene. Police captured Loyd a few days later.
Clayton worked for the department for 17 years and was posthumously promoted to lieutenant from master sergeant, the page said.
Current Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolón said in a statement that Clayton “impacted the lives of those around her.”
“Although nothing can undo the heartache created by the defendant’s heinous actions, we hope that this brings solace to our community, knowing a dangerous murderer will face the highest penalty provided by law,” Rolón wrote.
“I know that her legacy will live on by all who were impacted by her because, just as Lieutenant Clayton made it her life’s work to guide our youth in a positive direction, we will continue to do that in her honor.”
Update 3/3/22, 12:47 p.m. ET: This story was updated with additional information.
