Roll of Honor
Frank Dean Genovese
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Frank Genovese was shot and killed while participating in a SWAT team operation during a standoff with an armed suspect on 10th Lane in Greenacres. The suspect, who had set his furniture on fire and was threatening to blow up his apartment, surrendered to police after a four-hour siege. Although the suspect had fired at officers, he was acquitted on December 14th, 1984, after his attorney convinced a jury that an officer's return fire may have killed Deputy Genovese. Six months later, the suspect was charged with the attempted murder of a Miami police officer during a wild chase. The pursuit ended when he plowed his Corvette into four police cars at a roadblock, injuring one officer. On March 18th, 1988, he was charged with numerous firearms violations, including the sale and possession of machine guns, after his arrest by ATF agents and Miami Police Department detectives. Deputy Genovese was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department for 16 months. Before that, he served with the Daytona Beach Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife and parents. Deputy Genovese was posthumously presented with the Medal of Honor on September 13th, 1982.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-4819ADEF- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Genovese gave the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the West Palm Beach community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Frank Dean Genovese served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff Frank Dean Genovese is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, 7 of 23 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frank Dean Genovese's cause is highlighted.
How Frank Dean Genovese Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank Dean Genovese is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank Dean Genovese was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
22 officers from Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
