Officer Gene A. Bessette

Gene A. Bessette

Officer Gene Bessette was operating his police motorcycle east-bound on Lakeview Avenue South and Twelfth Street when a vehicle being driven on Twelfth Street ran a stop sign and collided with the motorcycle, throwing him 44-feet and knocking off his helmet.

He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.

Officer Bessette had served with the St. Petersburg Police Department for two years. He was survived by his wife and three children.