![Besette Thomas Baitinger](https://www.policestandards.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Besette.jpg)
In Memory of Officer Gene A. Bessette
November 19, 1961
On November 19, 1961, Officer Gene A. Bessette was operating his police motorcycle east-bound on Lakeview Avenue South and Twelfth Street. A man driving a car on Twelfth Street ran a stop sign. The officer was thrown 180 feet, killing him instantly.