Police Officer Scott Richard Rakow

Scott Richard Rakow

Police Officer Scott Rakow was shot and killed during a pursuit of a suspect following a major undercover drug sting in which an undercover detective was going to sell $100,000 worth of cocaine.

During the sting, the drug dealers had spotters in high-rise buildings who observed the police sting and alerted the suspects, who then attempted to rob the undercover detective.

One of the men fled in the undercover vehicle, while the other fled in the vehicle they arrived in. As other officers pursued the undercover vehicle, Officer Rakow began to pursue the other vehicle until it crashed at the intersection of NE 83rd Street and Bayshore Drive in Miami. As the suspect fled on foot, he opened fire on Officer Rakow, striking him in the head.

The man was arrested a short time later after jumping into a nearby canal. The suspect and an accomplice were convicted of first-degree murder, armed robbery, weapons violations, and drug trafficking. They were sentenced to life in prison.

Officer Rakow had served with the Miami Beach Police Department for four years. He is survived by his wife, daughter, parents, and siblings.