Crime & Safety

Former Sarasota Mayor Hogle Dies While On Vacation

Longboat Key Police Chief Al Hogle died in a motorcycle accident while on vacation in North Carolina. Hogle served for 30 years in the Sarasota Police Department and was a former Sarasota mayor and former Bradenton police chief.

A former Sarasota mayor, and Longboat Key's police chief, Al Hogle, died Monday afternoon in a motorcycle crash while vacationing in North Carolina, according to the Longboat Key Police Department.

"He was highly respected by the public and entire department and town," Capt. Monica Quarmby told Patch Monday evening. "It's definitely a great loss."

Information about services is not yet available, Quarmby said, and the department hopes to find out more information Tuesday.

Find out what's happening in Sarasotawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The accident happened at 1 p.m. when he went off the road and struck a tree, Longboat Key Fire Chief Paul Dezzi told The Bradenton Herald.

Hogle was a former Sarasota city commissioner from 1998 to 2001 and served as Bradenton police chief from 2001 to 2002 before being hired by Longboat Key for its police chief post. 

Find out what's happening in Sarasotawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Hogle spent 30 years with the Sarasota Police Department, where he spent a long time beside current Sarasota Police Chief Mikel Hollaway, The Herald-Tribune reports:

"He was a patient teacher," Holloway said. "He was a top-notch narcotics commander. He was very patient with us young guys. He would make sure all of our paperwork was correct and fit the elements of the crime.

"When we went to court or to depositions, we had everything covered. That's the best thing: a very good teacher and very patient with the young guys."

The Longboat Key News called Hogle a "real Floridian" in its tribute to Hogle:

"In fact Hogle lived in his house on Magnolia Street for more than 20 years—a real Floridian. He kept a Hobiecat 12 at the City Island Sailing Squadron. Hogle was very experienced in small sailing crafts.

After his USAF service, Hogle returned to Sarasota where he says he was fortunate enough to gain appointment to the Sarasota Police Department.

Hogle obviously liked that job. He continued his education, eventually graduating from the University of South Florida. Hogle was proud of his Sarasota experience; he served there in every division at every rank. He was a graduate of the FBI National Academy at Quantico."

The Longboat Key officers received the news late Monday afternoon, Quarmby said, and the news is fresh in their minds as they work into the night.

"Everyone is in definitely a deep state of shock, saddened and had a chaplain sent over to us by Sarasota sheriff and offered his services," Quarmby said.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.