Deputy Sheriff Frank Dean Genovese

Frank Dean Genovese

Deputy Sheriff Frank Genovese was shot and killed while participating in a SWAT team operation during a standoff with an armed suspect. The suspect, who had set his furniture on fire and was threatening to blow up his townhouse, surrendered to police after a four hour siege.

Although the suspect had fired at officers he was acquitted 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 road block, injuring one officer. On March 18, 1988, he was charged with numerous firearms violations including sell and possession of machine guns after his arrest by ATF agents and Miami Police.

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 Datona Beach Police Department for three years.