Trooper Alvin Vincent Kohler, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida

Trooper Alvin Vincent Kohler

Florida Highway Patrol, Florida

End of Watch Tuesday, September 19, 1978

Alvin Vincent Kohler

Trooper Alvin Kohler was shot and killed in Miami when he stopped to help a disabled motorist.

Trooper Kohler requested a tow truck and started writing the 15-year-old driver a citation for failure to comply with a restriction on his license. When the tow truck arrived, the youth opened fire with a handgun killing the trooper and the tow truck driver. The suspect and a companion then fled in the tow truck. Minutes later they were captured by two Florida City police officers.

The shooter was convicted of two counts of murder and robbery and sentenced to three life terms in prison.

Trooper Kohler was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had served with the Florida Highway Patrol for 11 months.

Bio

Age 23
Tour 11 months
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Handgun; .357 caliber
Offender Sentenced to life

juvenile

Most Recent Reflection

View all 35 Reflections

I was the on duty police dispatcher (22 yrs old at the time) with Metro-Dade Police working South Frequency the evening you were murdered. It was one of my units, passing by while en-route to another call, who advised me to notify FHP Turnpike of a vehicle fire at the SW 168 St overpass. I can't help feeling somewhat responsible for having sent you to that call. Never expected that an hour later I would get another call of an officer down. You were there to help a stranded motorist whose car was on fire. They waited until the Fire Dept. left the scene before shooting you and the tow truck driver. They headed south in the tow truck. I put out the BOLO and they were apprehended getting off the Turnpike in Florida City. I am now 59 years old and retired. Your death and that of the tow truck driver has huanted me all these years. I often pray for you and the tow truck driver and your families. God Bless.

Theresa Morris, Police Disp Supv 2
Miami-Dade Police Dept.

February 16, 2016