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Incident
Police Officer William Askew suffered a fatal heart attack while struggling with a juvenile suspect following a vehicle pursuit and foot pursuit. The pursuit started after he attempted to stop a stolen vehicle with two juvenile occupants. He pursued the vehicle for 33 blocks until it crashed in the area of 8741 SW 86th Street. He then pursued one of the subjects on foot and captured him after a brief struggle. He returned the boy to his cruiser when he suddenly collapsed. The juvenile was charged with third-degree murder as a result of Officer Askew's death.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Askew gave the Metro-Dade Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Miami community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Askew.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Metro-Dade Police Department has lost 25 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
William is one of 62 officers lost to cardiac events in FL, 6.2% of the 1,006 remembered there.
William is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1979, 2 officers in FL were lost to cardiac events, the 6th heaviest of 39 years on record. The heaviest was 2017, with 4.
In 1979, 17 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 21st heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1979, 17 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 21st heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
William was 32. Of the 61 lost to cardiac events in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 49. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 16 years.
William was 32. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
William was 32. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. William had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
July holds 8.1% of these deaths in FL; May holds the most, 19.4%. Tuesdays: 12.9%.
July holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
July holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 4% of all 25 deaths at Metro-Dade Police Department, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 6.2% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 12.9% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16.1% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16% of these deaths.
His people
Metro-Dade Police Department has 25 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Edward Emile Fritz, Jr.
Feb 3, 1953
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Jerome R. Christman
Dec 3, 1960
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Earl Lee Johnson, Jr.
Feb 3, 1962
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Carlos S. Stuteville
Aug 22, 1964
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Paul G. Anderson, Jr.
May 7, 1967
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Johnny Edward Mitchell
Dec 31, 1971
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Harrison Crenshaw, Jr.
May 18, 1974
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Simmons Arrington
May 21, 1974
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Clark Hamilton Curlette
Apr 1, 1976
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Frank Kenneth D'Azevedo
Apr 1, 1976
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Thomas Allen Hodges, Jr.
Apr 1, 1976
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William Coleman Cook
May 16, 1979
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William Franklin Askew
Jul 24, 1979
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Edward Russell Young
Sep 23, 1981
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Cheryl W. Seiden
Jul 28, 1982
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Stephen Owen Corbett
May 28, 1983
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Robert L. Zore
Dec 25, 1983
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Richard Allen Boles
Nov 28, 1988
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David Henry Strzalkowski
Nov 28, 1988
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Jose Teodoro Gonzalez
Mar 28, 1989
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Joseph Preston Martin
Apr 27, 1990
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Thomas James Leis
Apr 29, 1990
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Evelyn Gort
Oct 30, 1993
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Robert Vargas
Feb 7, 1997
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Richard P. Wentlandt
Mar 15, 1997
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-W
What is kept
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