Officer Gene A. Bessette
November 10, 1961
On November 10, 1961 Officer Gene A. Bessette was operating his police motorcycle east-bound on Lakeview Avenue South and Twelfth Street. A man driving a car on Twelfth Street ran a stop sign. The officer was thrown 180 feet, killing him instantly.
Officer Bessette had served with the St. Petersburg Police Department for two years. He was survived by his wife and three children.
