Florida sheriff's deputy shoots and kills girlfriend 'while cleaning his rifle'

A Florida sheriff's deputy fatally shot his girlfriend in the head with a rifle while cleaning his firearms. 

Leslie Dale Boileau, 32, called 911 on Thursday night and said he 'accidentally' shot his girlfriend, Polina Wright, 25, at his home in Ocala after the pair were out drinking margaritas at a restaurant.

After cops arrived at his home around 11pm, Boileau, a Marion County Sheriff's Deputy, told Ocala Police officers, 'I know this looks really bad' and 'I did not want this to happen,' according to the arrest report, obtained by WCJB. 

Officers found Wright dead at the scene with a gunshot wound in her forehead.  

Boileau claims he and Wright were cleaning and 'dry-firing' his handgun and rifle when he 'accidentally' fired the loaded gun, killing his girlfriend.

He later admitted to officers that he knows he shouldn't have pointed the rifle at his girlfriend, especially because he works in law enforcement. 

Officers said physical evidence aligned with Boileau's account of events. 

Boileau was arrested and charged with manslaughter. He was also terminated from his position, where he worked for eight years, earning multiple awards.  

Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said the department is 'heartbroken' for Wright's friends and family and that Boileau's 'tragic actions' have impacted the law enforcement community as a whole. 

'We are heartbroken for the family and friends of the victim. Tens of thousands of law enforcement officers do their job commendably every day,' he said.

'But unfortunately, the tragic actions of just one are felt through the entire law enforcement community.'

Wright's family and friends mourned her sudden death in online tributes.

'Polina was the most loving and caring person that we know; she was a beam of light to all that knew her,' her sister, Julia Dawson, wrote in a Facebook post. 

'We yearn for the day we can see those sweet dimples again.'

Another sister, Rebecca Wright Baker, wrote: 'My sweet sister, I can't wait to see you in glory one day.' 

On Saturday morning, Boileau faced a judge as he wore a yellow jumpsuit and handcuffs around his wrist. 

Circuit Judge Stacy Youmans told Boileau and his attorney, Jimmie Sparrow, she found probable cause for the arrest, Ocala Star Banner reported. 

Sparrow argued that his client's bail should be set at $25,000, while Assistant State Attorney Tucked O'Neill requested no less than $50,000, citing his concern for the community if Boileau is released. 

Youmans set bail to $30,000, adding that if Boileau posts bond, he cannot have any weapons or guns, as well as zero contact with Wright's family. 

He is expected to appear in court for his arraignment in late October. 

Neighbors told the Star Banner that Boileau and his girlfriend never had fights and that he often kept to himself. 

Other Marion County locals feel that the tragic case needs to be investigated further. 

'If he's gotten awards before for providing excellent service and providing service to the community, all of that has to be taken into consideration before making a decision that's going to affect somebody's life and family for the rest of their lives,' Christian Gonzalez told WCJB. 

Boileau studied criminal justice at the College of Central Florida and was hired by the Marion County Sheriff's Office in June 2016. 

During his time with the sheriff's office, he worked in patrol and soon became a field training officer and corporal. 

While working a night shift three years ago, his supervisors said younger deputies 'frequently look to him for guidance' and described him as 'one of the most experienced deputies.'

That same year, Boileau received two Eagle Eyes awards 'for his assistance with investigating and apprehending suspects in multiple burglaries,' the Star Banner reported. 

His supervisors also thought of him as 'a trustworthy' and 'proactive' employee.