Former Chief Willis Booth was one of five law enforcement officers honored in the first induction ceremony for the Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame.

CLEARWATER – Former Clearwater Police Chief Willis Booth was honored Sunday (May 1) at Florida’s first Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Willis D. Booth, who served as Clearwater’s police chief from 1957 to 1968, was among five former law enforcement officers recognized at the Florida Capitol.

Booth, who was born in Safety Harbor and graduated from Clearwater High School, began his career with the Clearwater Police Department in 1947 as a patrolman. He became a sergeant two years later and was promoted to captain in 1953. He became the agency’s chief four years later.

Current Chief Dan Slaughter was among those attending the ceremony.

“Chief Booth is an important part of the history of the Clearwater Police Department,” Slaughter said. “It was an honor and a privilege to witness this event. The first class of inductees couldn’t have a more deserving person.”

The Florida Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame was created by the Florida Legislature in 2014. Other inductees today were Larry Campbell, former Leon County sheriff; Thomas D. Hurlburt Jr., former Orlando police chief and former U.S. marshal; James F. Medley, former Pasco County sheriff’s detective and current reserve investigator; and Leonidas G. Thalassites, former Hialeah Police lieutenant and current reserve officer.

For information about the Clearwater Police Department, go to clearwaterpolice.org.

Photos courtesy of the Clearwater Police Department.

Clearwater Police | Willis Booth | Law Officers Hall of Fame | Dan Slaughter | TB Reporter

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