“All Gave Some, Some Gave All”
Trooper Frederick J. Groves , Jr.
Florida Highway Patrol
Trooper Frederick Groves was shot and killed after making a traffic stop in Palm Beach County. The stop occurred along the southbound lanes of the Florida Turnpike two miles north of Okeechobee Road in West Palm Beach.
As Trooper Frederick searched the trunk of the car, he was shot by a passenger when he discovered a suitcase full of marijuana. The suspect and the driver were arrested the next day.
The 21-year-old suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on March 27, 1987. His accomplice was convicted of third-degree murder and sentenced to seven years.
Trooper Groves had served with the Florida Highway Patrol for 14 years.
Police Officer Robert Dennis Edwards
West Palm Beach Police Department
Officer Edwards was killed in an automobile accident while responding to a local hospital to assist his partner with a prisoner. The two had arrested a woman at a disturbance and placed her in the back of a patrol car.…
Read MoreOfficer Edwards was killed in an automobile accident while responding to a local hospital to assist his partner with a prisoner. The two had arrested a woman at a disturbance and placed her in the back of a patrol car. The woman started banging her head on the inside of the car causing injuries to herself. Officer Edwards’ partner transported her to the hospital as Officer Edwards waited for a tow truck for the suspect’s car.
When another officer arrived to take over Officer Edwards responded to the hospital to assist his partner. As he entered an intersection another car turned left, causing a collision which knocked Officer Edwards’ patrol car into a concrete light pole.
Officer Edwards had served with the agency for 4 years. He was survived by his wife, four children, brother, and mother.
Deputy Frank Dean Genovese
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Genovese was shot and killed while participating in a SWAT team operation during a standoff with an armed suspect. The suspect, who had set his furniture on fire and was threatening to blow up his townhouse, surrendered to police after a four hour siege.…
Read MoreDeputy Genovese was shot and killed while participating in a SWAT team operation during a standoff with an armed suspect. The suspect, who had set his furniture on fire and was threatening to blow up his townhouse, surrendered to police after a four hour siege.
Although the suspect had fired at officers he was acquitted December 14, 1984, after his attorney convinced a jury that an officer’s return fire may have killed Deputy Genovese.
Six months later the suspect was charged with the attempted murder of a Miami police officer during a wild chase. The pursuit ended when he plowed his corvette into four police cars at a road block, injuring one officer. On March 18, 1988, he was charged with numerous firearms violations including sell and possession of machine guns after his arrest by ATF agents and Miami Police.
Deputy Genovese had served with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department for 16 months. Before that he served with the Datona Beach Police Department for three years.
Deputy Richard John Landes
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Landes was struck and killed by a passing vehicle while he was assisting others in removing a vehicle from a canal.
Read MoreDeputy Landes was struck and killed by a passing vehicle while he was assisting others in removing a vehicle from a canal.
Patrolman William Steven Mathews
Palm Beach Gardens Police Department
Patrolman Mathews was killed in an automobile accident while attempting to stop a drunk driver.
Read MorePatrolman Mathews was killed in an automobile accident while attempting to stop a drunk driver.
Officer John Daniel Kennedy
Delray Beach Police Department
Officer John Kennedy was shot and killed when he was ambushed as he sat in his patrol car. He was writing a report while parked a gas station. His body was located after he failed to respond to radio transmissions.
One of the suspect was arrested and convicted of second degree murder.
Officer Kennedy had served with the department for 13 years. He was survived by his expectant wife and five children.
Officer Meredith Stanley Runck , Jr.
Riviera Beach Police Department
Officer Skip Runck was shot and killed with his own weapon after responding to a domestic disturbance call.
Upon arrival, he was told by a female victim that the man had threatened to murder her. Officer Runck ordered the man to go home, but he refused. As it began to rain, Officer Runck stepped into the house and told the man not to enter it. The suspect continued to disobey the orders and was then advised that he was under arrest. Officer Runck took him by the arm and began to lead him towards the police car when a struggle ensued, and Officer Runck hit the suspect with his baton. Both men fell to the ground, and the suspect gained control of Officer Runck’s .357 caliber revolver and pointed it at his chest. Officer Runck shouted, “Don’t shoot, don’t shoot,” but the suspect shot him four times and then started yelling, “I done shot the law.”
The suspect was apprehended and sentenced to 55 years in prison but was later murdered while incarcerated.
Officer Runck had been with the Riviera Beach Police Department for 15 months. He was survived by his wife, parents, and two brothers.
Sergeant Andrew Redding
Lantana Police Department
Sergeant Redding was killed when a drunk driver ran a red light and broadsided his cruiser on the passenger side. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Read MoreSergeant Redding was killed when a drunk driver ran a red light and broadsided his cruiser on the passenger side. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Trooper Herman T. Morris
Florida Highway Patrol
Trooper Herman Morris was killed in an automobile accident while on patrol in West Palm Beach. Another vehicle forced his patrol car into a bridge railing.
Trooper Morris had served with the Florida Highway Patrol for three years. He was survived by his wife and two sons.
Police Officer William Harold Fletcher
West Palm Beach Police Department
Officer Fletcher and Officer Richard Van Curler were shot and killed while responding to a disturbance at a local bank at 45th Street and Broadway. The bank manager had called after hours to report a man pounding on the doors and yelling to be let in.…
Read MoreOfficer Fletcher and Officer Richard Van Curler were shot and killed while responding to a disturbance at a local bank at 45th Street and Broadway. The bank manager had called after hours to report a man pounding on the doors and yelling to be let in. After arriving Officer Fletcher contacted the employees of the bank and then went to talk to the man who was still in front of the bank. The man continued to shout and cause as a disturbance as Officer Fletcher tried to talk to him. Because portable radios were not used at the time Officer Fletcher returned to his cruiser to call for backup.
As Officer Fletcher completed his transmission the man began walking towards him and met him at the curb. The man then struck him and knocked him down. During the ensuing struggle the suspect gained control of Officer Fletcher’s revolver and shot him twice. At that moment Officer Van Curler arrived on his motorcycle. The suspect immediately opened fire, shooting through the motorcycle’s windshield and striking Officer Van Curler in the chest. After walking over to Officer Van Curler the suspect then attempted to shoot him again but the gun was empty. He then took Officer Van Curler’s weapon. Officer Fletcher had managed to get to his feet but the suspect shot him again with Officer Van Curler’s weapon, fatally wounding him. Other officers arrived on the scene and took the suspect into custody. The suspect was commited to a mental hospital where he later died.
