End of watch

Longboat Key Police Chief Albert “Al” Hogle hated being in the spotlight.

But on Thursday, May 24, photos of Hogle flashed across a projector screen in the Robarts Arena as hundreds of people gathered to celebrate his life.

Pallbearers carried Hogle’s flag-draped coffin through the arena.

Hundreds of uniformed law-enforcement officers from throughout Southwest Florida saluted; many civilians placed their hands over their hearts.

Bradenton police chaplain, the Rev. Don Sturian,o told the audience how Hogle’s family had described him: He was a private man. He refused to let anyone throw him a party.

“This,” he said, drawing laughter from the crowd, “is the Lord getting back at him.”

...

Pete Cumming, a Longboat Key police captain who was appointed acting chief after Hogle’s death last week, always laughed when he saw his chief ringing the Salvation Army bell at the Key’s Publix around the holidays.

“He looked like a big kid up there,” he said. “I always chuckled when I saw him.”

Cumming was one of six law-enforcement officers to eulogize Hogle.

He said that Hogle loved children, before spilling what wasn’t exactly a secret: that Hogle loaded up the police department’s Toys for Tots box every year at Christmas time.

He said that Hogle always had time for people, whether they needed a minute or an hour. When Cumming had a problem, he went to Hogle and they talked about it over coffee or breakfast.
Cumming ended his remarks the way Hogle would whenever he finished talking:

“That’s all I know,” he said.

Sarasota Police Chief Mikel Hollaway said that Hogle obtained “almost legendary status” as a narcotics command officer. He led a division that made more than 500 arrests a year and helped to bring down seven leaders of a Miami-to-Sarasota cocaine smuggling ring that he called the Columbia Cartel operation.

But Hollaway also spoke of Hogle’s personal side.

In his time with the Sarasota Police Department, Hogle regularly offered to mentor young officers.
Hogle also loved fast cars and motorcycles.

Just 26 days earlier, Hogle had told him at a Police Athletic League fundraiser about his new Camaro ZL1. A few days later, he emailed Hollaway with the details and promised to bring it by the station.

“He had that infectious smile,” Hollaway said. “He had this gleam in his eye. I said, ‘Boy, when he comes, you might have to have that get-out-of-jail free card.”

Manatee County Sheriff W. Brad Steube recalled meeting Hogle in the 1980s when both were doing crack busts. He recalled running with Hogle after chasing a fleeing suspect through a Manatee County mobile home community and jumping into a canal, swimming through water and treading through mud, glass and bricks before making their way to the other side. The suspect was apprehended, and Hogle and Steube returned to their stakeout van to clean up and wait for the next suspect.

As he dried off, Hogle said: “I’m too old for this.”

Hogle told Steube his age, which turned out to be just five or six years older than Steube.
Steube thought for a second and agreed.

“You’re right,” he said. “You’re way too old for this.”

“I’m going to miss Al Hogle,” Steube said. “I’m going to miss his smile, his sense of humor, his caring nature … ”

He choked up as he said the final words:

“ … and his compassion for others.”

Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight described Hogle as a “true gentleman.”

“I think everybody in this community can say we are a better community because of Al Hogle,” he said.
Bradenton Police Chief Michael Radzilowski said that Hogle was a mentor who took great pride in his family and had a unique way of putting things in perspective.

Radzilowski once told him that he was a father figure for other local chiefs. Hogle quipped:

“Does that mean I have to take out the trash?”

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agent Claudia Law said that Hogle lost his own father young and stepped up for his family. He never saw it as a sacrifice.

More than two decades ago, Law got a phone call from her sister, Leslie, who said she was in love. Five weeks later, Hogle became Law’s brother-in-law.

When Law was sworn in as a law-enforcement officer, it was Hogle who presented her with her credentials. He was a sounding board throughout her career. If Law was in trouble, Hogle would call her a “knucklehead.” But he would listen and offer advice, which was always:

“Stop whining. Be a part of the solution.”

Law said that everyone could learn a lesson from Hogle.

“No matter the situation, the drama, the crisis you fight, the people that just drive you nuts,” Law said, “take a minute and see the good, because that was what he did with everyone.”

Law said that her family was at peace knowing that Hogle died riding the motorcycle he loved, in the mountains he loved with four dear friends.

…

Sturiano said that he had been asked to end Thursday’s service with a prayer. He hadn’t known Hogle personally, but after speaking with his family and friends, he felt confident he knew what Hogle would want. Hogle’s wife, Leslie agreed.

And, so, Sturiano ended the service not with a prayer for Hogle, but with a prayer for the safety of law-enforcement officers.

Then, bagpipers played “Amazing Grace” as pallbearers carried Hogle’s casket into the hearse en route to Sarasota National Cemetery, where Hogle was buried. The procession included dozens of police vehicles. But Hogle’s brand new Camaro ZL1 led the way.