MIAMI (AP) - The Miami-Dade Police Department announced the death of its former director Robert Parker. He was 62.
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 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.
