End of Watch: The Death of Pensacola Police Motorcycle Officer Charles Franklin Bazzell

An excerpt from the book, “Some Gave All,” available on Amazon

By Mike Simmons

End of Watch Wednesday, March 16, 1932

Palafox and Garden Streets

March 14, 1932: Finally! After four years as a firefighter, Frank was at last a motorcycle officer again.  He had been a motorcycle officer in the town of Palm Beach, Florida, but since he had come to Pensacola, he had only now been able to secure the position with the Pensacola Police Department. 

Shortly after 10:00 PM, Frank got his first call as a Pensacola Police officer. He and another officer were dispatched to a disturbance at the corner of 9th Avenue and Chase Street. As they were passing the intersection of Palafox and Garden Streets at 10:15 PM, Officer Bazzell’s tire struck the curb, causing him to crash and fracture his skull. He never regained consciousness. He died at 12:40 PM on March 15, 1932.

Officer Bazzell was survived by his wife and three-year-old son, Frank, Jr.

Rest in peace, Sir.

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