Tampa Police Department, Florida
End of Watch: Friday, July 24, 1981
Age: 38
Tour of Duty: 8 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 24, 1981
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Died in prison
Detective Gerald Rauft was shot and killed during an undercover operation to purchase 100 pounds of marijuana.
The undercover officers were conducting the deal inside a home at 1410 E. 29th Avenue when a shootout erupted and Detective Rauft was fatally wounded. The second officer was seriously wounded.
Four suspects were apprehended. The 28-year-old triggerman was declared mentally incompetent to stand trial and sent to a mental institution. In 1986 he was deemed competent and was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. On May 5th, 2012, he was resentenced to life in prison. He died in prison on May 30th, 2020.
Detective Rauft had served with the Tampa Police Department for eight years. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.