Senator Lauren Book’s Amendment Honors Fallen Officers Statewide
HB 385, a bill relating to transportation sponsored by Senator Manny Diaz Jr. (R-Hialeah) and Representative Bryan Avila (R-Miami Springs), has been signed into law by Governor DeSantis. While the primary content of this bill pertains to Miami-Dade County transportation issues, it contains a critical amendment filed by Senator Lauren Book (D-Plantation) identifying all fallen Florida Highway Patrol officers who have not been recognized for their service with an honorary transportation facility designation – including those from Dade and Broward Counties.
“The brave men and women of the Florida Highway Patrol work day and night to keep our most dangerous roadways safe—sacrificing time with their own families, to protect and serve ours,” says Senator Lauren Book. “I want to thank Senator Diaz and Representative Avila for allowing this amendment to their bill to ensure those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty are honored for their bravery.”
Senator Book’s amendment creates designations for 26 officers in various counties in honor of their ultimate sacrifice in service to the people of the State of Florida, including the following from the South Florida area:
BROWARD
Trooper Phillip A. Black
Trooper Black was shot while investigating a suspicious vehicle parked at a rest stop on I-95 near Pompano Beach. Corporal Donald Irwin of the Ontario Provincial Police, Canada, vacationing in Florida, was riding along with Trooper Black. He went to assist and was also shot and killed.
Trooper Black had served the residents of Florida, with the Florida Highway Patrol, for 9 years. His career with FHP began April 1, 1967. He was in the 32nd recruit class in Tallahassee, from August 2 to October 25, 1967. He was stationed in Key West and Fort Lauderdale. At the time of his death, he was 39. He was survived by his wife and a young son.
DADE
Trooper Luther P. Daniel
Patrolman Daniel was shot during a traffic stop, by an escapee, in a stolen vehicle, in Miami. He usually drove a motorcycle but was driving another officer’s vehicle that night, which was taken by the suspect and wrecked not far away from where the shooting occurred.
Patrolman Daniel had served the residents of Florida, with the Florida Highway Patrol, for 6 months. His career with FHP began July 1, 1941. He was in the 3rd recruit class in Lakeland, from July 1 to August 1, 1941. He was stationed in Miami. At the time of his death, he was 32. He was survived by his wife Florence and son Bill.
Trooper Alvin V. Kohler
Trooper Kohler was shot by a runaway teenager while he was assisting a disabled motorist. A tow truck driver at the scene was also shot and killed.
Trooper Kohler had served the residents of Florida, with the Florida Highway Patrol, for 1 year. His career with FHP began October 17, 1977. He was in the 54th recruit class in Tallahassee, from January 8 to April 7, 1978. He was stationed in Miami. At the time of his death, he was 23. He was survived by his parents, Oscar and Martha, and three siblings David, Chris and Karolyn.
Trooper Bradley S. Glascock
Trooper Glascock was shot during a traffic stop at a toll booth on State Road 836 in Miami. The events that followed, included a massive manhunt for the driver and roadblocks set up all over Miami. The suspect turned himself in when he couldn’t leave town. This case motivated the State Cabinet to buy bullet-resistant vests for all State Troopers.
Trooper Glascock had served the residents of Florida, with the Florida Highway Patrol, for 1 year. His career with FHP began June 6, 1976. He was in the 51st recruit class in Tallahassee, from June 7 to September 3, 1976. He was stationed in Miami. At the time of his death, he was 24. He was survived by his father, William.
Trooper Elmer C. Barnett
Trooper Barnett, during a traffic stop in Miami, was standing away from the roadway with the original violator when another vehicle ran off the road and struck him.
Trooper Barnett had served the residents of Florida, with the Florida Highway Patrol, for 5 years. His career with FHP began May 1, 1973. He was in the 44th recruit class in Tallahassee, from September 24 to December 14, 1973. He was stationed in Miami. At the time of his death, he was 30. He was survived by his wife, Jacqueline, and two young children, Shandra (3) and Shirley (18 months).
Trooper Owen K. Bender
Captain Bender was struck by a vehicle as he manned a roadblock, on the 36th Street Causeway, to restrict traffic because of dangerous driving conditions in Miami Beach due to Hurricane Betsy.
Captain Bender had served the residents of Florida, with the Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary, for 6 years. He began his career with FHPA in 1959 and was stationed in Miami. At the time of his death, he was 34. He was survived by his wife, Martha, three brothers and a sister.
“I am glad to team up with Senator Book to honor our fallen law enforcement officers in this legislation,” says Senator Diaz. “It’s the right thing to do.”
While the core of HB 385 relates to Miami-Dade County, Sen. Book’s amendment recognizes fallen officers from across the State of Florida.
