Tampa Police Department, Florida
End of Watch Friday, July 24, 1981
Add to My HeroesGerald A. Rauft
Detective Rauft was shot and killed during an undercover operation to purchase 100 pounds of marijuana. During the deal, a shootout erupted and Detective Rauft was fatally wounded.
Four suspects were apprehended. One suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison on May 5, 2012, after being sentenced to death several years earlier.
Detective Rauft had been with the agency for eight years. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
Bio
- Age 38
- Tour 8 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 13 ReflectionsJust before the Tragic Murder of Detective Rauft he was helping teach a class at the Tampa Police Academy. He was in good spirits and thoroughly engaged in helping other Officers learn how to defend themselves. I suspect many stayed safe from lessons he taught. That was a long time ago, but I have not forgotten.
Ex-Officer Mitchell Henderson
Tampa Police Department
March 30, 2017
Recent LODD Deaths
Police Officer Steven J. Brown
Port St. Lucie Police Department, FL
EOW: June 12, 2019
Trooper William Moden
Colorado State Patrol, CO
EOW: June 15, 2019
Deputy Sheriff Julius Jamal "Jay" Dailey
Monroe County Sheriff's Office, AL
EOW: June 11, 2019
Sergeant David Jones Fitzpatrick
The Colony Police Department, TX
EOW: June 10, 2019
Police Officer Esmeralda P. Ramirez
Los Angeles Police Department, CA
EOW: June 9, 2019
Police Officer William J. Leahy
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department, NY
EOW: June 6, 2019
Police Officer Albert J. Castaneda
Grand Prairie Police Department, TX
EOW: June 7, 2019
Lieutenant Joseph Johnson
Seminole Police Department, TR
EOW: May 30, 2019
Lieutenant Steven Whitstine
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: May 30, 2019