Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Clark Curlette, Police Thomas Hodges, and Police Officer Frank D'Azevedo were shot and killed at 6:45 pm while conducting an investigation into stolen driver's licenses. Officer Curlette and Officer Hodges were waiting in a motel parking lot at Harding Avenue and 86th Street, while Officer D'Azevedo made a purchase of the stolen licenses approximately one block away. While in the parking lot, Officer Hodges and Officer Curlette noticed a car they suspected of being stolen. The two officers went to the motel manager and asked about the car. The manager informed them that the car belonged to a guest and told them which room the guest was staying in. As the officers went to the room, the manager called the guest to warn him the officers were coming. When the officers knocked on the door, the suspect opened fire with a double-barrel 12 gauge shotgun. Officer Hodges was struck in the face and Officer Curlette was struck in the abdomen. When Officer D'Azevedo heard the shots, he immediately ran back to the motel and found his partners' bodies. He saw the suspect running from the scene and began to chase him on foot. The suspect turned a corner, crouched down, and waited for Officer D'Azevedo. Officer D'Azevedo was shot when he came around the corner. The suspect fled the scene and committed suicide a short time later. Officer Curlette had been employed with the Metro-Dade Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-956AEC86- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Curlette gave the Metro-Dade Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Miami community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Curlette.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Clark Hamilton Curlette 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 Metro-Dade Police Department, 14 of 25 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 56% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Clark Hamilton Curlette's cause is highlighted.
How Clark Hamilton Curlette Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Clark Hamilton Curlette is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Clark Hamilton Curlette was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
24 officers from Metro-Dade Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
