Officer Steve Bennett (EOW February 5, 1934) served the Bradenton Police Department from 1924 until 1934 when he was tragically killed in a traffic collision while on patrol.

In 2017, it came to Chief Melanie Bevan's attention that Officer Bennett’s name was not inscribed on the National Law Enforcement Memorial Wall in Washington, DC. In order to honor the service and dedication of Officer Bennett, the Bradenton Police Department attended 2018 National Police Week in Washington D.C. Our Honor Guard, in attendance with Officer Bennett’s family, attended a candlelight vigil and honored the addition of Officer Bennett’s name to the Law Enforcement Memorial wall. There, his name joined Officer Carl Cox and the names of 21,000 other brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and protection of our nation and its people.