The Death of Pensacola Police Officer Charles Bazzell
An Excerpt from the book, “Some Gave All,” available on Amazon
By Mike Simmons
The December 23, 1910, edition of the Pensacola News Journal published the following letter[1]:
Dear Santa Claus:
I am a little boy eight years old. Please bring me a big express wagon with iron wheels, a story book, a cap pistol, and other toys suitable for a little boy. Wishing you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Charles Franklin Bazzell, 706 West Garden street.
A new day dawned in the history of Pensacola when, on January 20, 1914, nine U. S. Naval officers and 23 sailors arrived from Annapolis to establish the Naval Aeronautic Station, later the Naval Air Station. The flight school became operational the next month. Things were looking up in the town. That is, until February 2, when the First National Bank of Pensacola collapsed, bringing the town into a depression.
Twenty-eight days later, 12-year-old Frank Bazzell was pulling a wagon when he was attacked by a group of boys – unknown to him – who were set on taking the wagon from him. During the attack, one of the boys, Johnny Williams, pulled a knife and cut Frank on the wrist, causing the blood to pour profusely from the gash. The boys scattered and Frank hurried home where the wound was cared for. A week later, Williams stood in front of a judge who sentenced him to probation.
On August 9, 1927, The Pensacola News Journal reported that Frank had been hired as added to the rolls of the Pensacola Fire Department. Maybe it wasn’t exactly what the 25-year-old really wanted in a career, but it paid the bills…and it gave him the opportunity to help people.
March 14, 1932: Finally! After four years as a firefighter, Frank was at last a motorcycle officer again[2]. 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 a position with the Pensacola Police Department.
Shortly after 10:00 PM, Frank got his first call as a Pensacola Police officer. He and Officer E. P. McDaniels 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. It was later determined that the call was a false alarm.
The Pensacola News Journal reported that funeral services took place on Thursday, March 17, 1932, beginning from the home of Mrs. C. C. Hartman, 1150 North 12th Avenue. The procession continued to Christ Church and then to St. John’s Cemetery where his body was interred. Members of the Pensacola Police Department served as pall bearers.
Officer Bazzell was survived by his wife and three-year-old son, Frank, Jr.
Rest in Peace, Sir.
[1] https://www.newspapers.com/image/465263208/?terms=Bazzell&match=1
[2] Pensacola News Journal. https://www.newspapers.com/image/352596108/?terms=Bazzell&match=1