Former Miami-Dade police director found dead at home

Author: associated press
Published: Updated:
NISSA BENJAMIN, Miami Herald File Photo, 2008

MIAMI (AP) – The Miami-Dade Police Department announced the death of its former director Robert Parker.

Parker was found dead at his home in northwest Miami-Dade County on Wednesday night. The department did not release a cause of death and said an investigation is “in its preliminary stages.”

Parker joined the force in 1976. He worked his way through the ranks, becoming the first African-American in the agency’s top job in 2004.

Along the way he served as assistant director of police services and spent time in the Special Investigations Unit. He also was a major and commander in charge of economic crimes.

The Miami Herald (http://hrld.us/1MKbQFe ) reports Parker once said his toughest days as an officer were during the 1980 race riots sparked by the beating death of a black motorcyclist.

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