March 16, 1932
An excerpt from the book, “Some Gave All,” coming soon.
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. 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 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 16, 1932, 91 years ago. 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.
By Mike Simmons
#oldpolicestories