Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, Florida
End of Watch Thursday, June 3, 1982
Add to My HeroesFrank Dean Genovese
Deputy Sheriff Frank Genovese was shot and killed while participating in a SWAT team operation during a standoff with an armed suspect on 10th Lane in Greenacres.
The suspect, who had set his furniture on fire and was threatening to blow up his apartment, surrendered to police after a four-hour siege.
Although the suspect had fired at officers, he was acquitted on December 14th, 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 roadblock, injuring one officer. On March 18th, 1988, he was charged with numerous firearms violations, including the sale and possession of machine guns, after his arrest by ATF agents and Miami Police Department detectives.
Deputy Genovese was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department for 16 months. Before that, he served with the Daytona Beach Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife and parents.
Deputy Genovese was posthumously presented with the Medal of Honor on September 13th, 1982.
Bio
- Age 26
- Tour 3 years, 4 months
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Rifle
- Offender Acquitted
Most Recent Reflection
View all 18 ReflectionsDear Frank:
Well, it's been 40 years since that horrible day. I was 10-8 in the area that day, and I can vividly recall the radio traffic and the hear the gunfire. Frank, I recall most of all, your desire to be a perfectionist, from your green and white that ALWAYS had to be clean and waxed, to your uniform appearance. You inspired me then Frank, as I was new to the PBSO, and wanted to be in SWAT like you. And I did, some years later. I still have the t-shirt given to me from SWAT with your id on it.
Rest in peace my brother, we have the watch. You answered the call OF THE WOLF AT THE DOOR, AND YOU ANSWERED IT WITH HONOR AND DIGNITY. "Above all else, honor".
Sgt. Ron Tomassi, Retired
Lake Mary Police & PBSO Detective
June 3, 2022
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