St. Petersburg Police Department, Florida
End of Watch: Friday, November 10, 1961
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Motorcycle crash
Date of Incident: November 10, 1961
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Not available
Officer Gene Bessette was operating his police motorcycle east-bound on Lakeview Avenue South and Twelfth Street when a vehicle being driven on Twelfth Street ran a stop sign and collided with the motorcycle, throwing him 44-feet and knocking off his helmet.
He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
Officer Bessette had served with the St. Petersburg Police Department for two years. He was survived by his wife and three children.