Metro-Dade Police Department, Florida
End of Watch: Thursday, April 1, 1976
Age:
Tour of Duty: 6 years
Badge Number: 385
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: April 1, 1976
Weapon Used: Shotgun; 12 gauge
Suspect Info: Committed suicide
Police Officer Thomas Hodges, Police Officer Frank D'Azevedo, and Police Clark Curlette were shot and killed at 6:45 pm while conducting an investigation into stolen driver's licenses.
Officer Curlette and Officer Hodges were waiting in a motel parking lot at Harding Avenue and 86th Street, while Officer D'Azevedo made a purchase of the stolen licenses approximately one block away. While in the parking lot, Officer Hodges and Officer Curlette noticed a car they suspected of being stolen. The two officers went to the motel manager and asked about the car.
The manager informed them that the car belonged to a guest and told them which room the guest was staying in. As the officers went to the room, the manager called the guest to warn him the officers were coming. When the officers knocked on the door, the suspect opened fire with a double-barrel 12 gauge shotgun. Officer Hodges was struck in the face and Officer Curlette was struck in the abdomen.
When Officer D'Azevedo heard the shots, he immediately ran back to the motel and found his partners' bodies. He saw the suspect running from the scene and began to chase him on foot. The suspect turned a corner, crouched down, and waited for Officer D'Azevedo. Officer D'Azevedo was shot when he came around the corner. The suspect fled the scene and committed suicide a short time later.
Officer Hodges had served with the Metro-Dade Police Department for six years. He is survived by his wife and children.