FULL STORY: Public memorial service to honor Chief Hogle

A public memorial service for Longboat Key Police Chief Albert “Al” Hogle has been scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday, May 24, at the Robarts Arena, 3000 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. A 3 p.m. ceremony at the Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Bradenton, will follow.

Carpooling is recommended, when possible, for both ceremonies, due to limited parking.

The Robarts Arena has a seating capacity of approximately 4,000.

Acting Police Chief Pete Cumming said it’s difficult to determine how many people will attend in advance, however, law-enforcement officers from across Southwest Florida will be in attendance.

Deputies from the Sarasota and Manatee county sheriff’s offices and Sarasota police officers will patrol the Key for approximately six hours on Thursday so that Longboat Key police can attend Thursday’s service.

Meanwhile, the impact of Hogle’s death is visible throughout the town. Town flags are flying at half-staff and will remain lowered until Friday, Town Manager David Bullock told the Longboat Key Town Commission at a Monday, May 21 workshop, which began with a moment of silence.

Police officers are currently wearing black bands over their badges, while many town employees have black ribbons pinned to their shirts in honor of the man who served as the Key’s police chief since December 2002.

Hogle, 63, died May 14, in a motorcycle accident that occurred on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.

A private service took place last Friday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Police Athletic League, sfpal.com; Meals on Wheels, mealsonwheels-sarasota.org; Shriner’s Hospital, shrinershospitalsforchildren.org; All Faiths Food Bank, allfaithsfoodbank.org; and Angel Flight, angelflight.com.