Detective Sergeant Daniel Dominic Boccabella was a retired member of the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC.
D.C. Officer Was Lead Detective on 1973 Mass Murder Case
Daniel D. Boccabella Sr. investigated the execution-style slaying of seven people at a Northwest house.
Daniel D. Boccabella Sr., 72, a retired D.C. police officer who was the lead detective in a 1973 mass murder case, died June 25 at a hospice in Cape Coral, Fla. He had complications from melanoma.
Mr. Boccabella, known as Danny, joined the D.C. police department in 1960 and eventually became a sergeant and detective supervisor.
On at least two occasions during almost two decades on the force, he found himself in the right place at the right time, according to reports in The Washington Post. On a March night in 1968, plainclothesman Boccabella was walking two friends to their car on K Street SW when two men approached them, one pulling a gun and saying: "Be quiet. Give me all your money." Mr. Boccabella, who was off duty, pulled his service revolver instead of his money. The would-be robbers fled.
Later that year, then-Sgt. Boccabella was on his way to a police garage and was waiting for a light at 18th and G streets NW when a man who had just robbed Burk Jewelers ran past on the sidewalk. The officer leaped from his car and arrested the suspect, who was literally holding the bag -- a gray paper bag filled with watches, rings and cash.
His highest-profile investigation was the 1973 execution-style slaying of seven people at a house on 16th Street NW that was the national headquarters of the Hanafi Madhab Moslems, as the group was called at the time. The assailants fatally shot two men and drowned five children, including a 9-day-old boy, reportedly in retaliation for letters written by the group's leader that criticized Elijah Muhammad, founder and head of the Nation of Islam.
Sgt. Boccabella spent several months traveling the country, following leads and tips, which resulted in the apprehension and indictment of eight Black Muslims from Philadelphia, five of whom were convicted.
Daniel Dominic Boccabella Sr. was born in the District, growing up in the Brookland neighborhood and graduated from McKinley Technical High School. After serving with the Army in Europe for three years, he joined the D.C. police.
He retired from the Organized Crime Branch in 1979 and moved to Cape Coral, where he owned AllCape Realty until a second retirement in 1999.
His first wife, the former Cynthia Ann Abbott, died in 2003.
Survivors include his wife of a year, Peggy Clarke Hodges-Boccabella of Cape Coral; two children from his first marriage, Daniel D. Boccabella Jr. of Gainesville, Fla., and Christy Boccabella-Brown of St. Petersburg, Fla.; a sister; and a granddaughter.
Thanks to the Washington Post Newspaper for the above article.
Daniel (Danny) Boccabella Sr. born December 21, 1936, he was raised in N.E. Washington DC. Upon graduation from McKinley Tech High School in DC, he enlisted in the Army for 3 years where he attained the rank of Sergeant. He was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany.
Mr. Boccabella joined the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. in 1960 where he was Sergeant/Detective Supervisor. He retired from the Organized Crime Branch with over 20 years of service. Mr. Boccabella received 34 awards and commendations throughout his career. He was the lead detective of his squad in the 1973 Mass Murder case which was the largest execution murder case in DC history. Mr. Boccabella spent approximately 6 months travelling the country following the leads and tips which resulted in the apprehension of all suspects.
He, along with his wife Cindy and their children moved to Cape Coral, Florida in 1979 where we was a realtor and former owner of AllCape Realty, Inc. until 1999. He has since lived in Naples and Cape Coral.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy Boccabella, his sister Barbara Brandenberger of Scottsdale, Arizona, his son, Daniel D. Boccabella, Jr. of Gainesville, Florida, his daughter, Christy Boccabella-Brown and granddaughter Madison Brown, both of St. Petersburg, Florida.
Family will receive friends on Sunday, June 28 from 6-8 p.m. at Metz Funeral Home at 1306 Lafayette Street Cape Coral, 239-542-2134. The funeral will be on Monday, June 29 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Andrew Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Coral Ridge Cemetery.
Thanks to Legacy.com and News-Press.com for the above article.
D.C. Officer Was Lead Detective on 1973 Mass Murder Case
Daniel D. Boccabella Sr. investigated the execution-style slaying of seven people at a Northwest house.
Daniel D. Boccabella Sr., 72, a retired D.C. police officer who was the lead detective in a 1973 mass murder case, died June 25 at a hospice in Cape Coral, Fla. He had complications from melanoma.
Mr. Boccabella, known as Danny, joined the D.C. police department in 1960 and eventually became a sergeant and detective supervisor.
On at least two occasions during almost two decades on the force, he found himself in the right place at the right time, according to reports in The Washington Post. On a March night in 1968, plainclothesman Boccabella was walking two friends to their car on K Street SW when two men approached them, one pulling a gun and saying: "Be quiet. Give me all your money." Mr. Boccabella, who was off duty, pulled his service revolver instead of his money. The would-be robbers fled.
Later that year, then-Sgt. Boccabella was on his way to a police garage and was waiting for a light at 18th and G streets NW when a man who had just robbed Burk Jewelers ran past on the sidewalk. The officer leaped from his car and arrested the suspect, who was literally holding the bag -- a gray paper bag filled with watches, rings and cash.
His highest-profile investigation was the 1973 execution-style slaying of seven people at a house on 16th Street NW that was the national headquarters of the Hanafi Madhab Moslems, as the group was called at the time. The assailants fatally shot two men and drowned five children, including a 9-day-old boy, reportedly in retaliation for letters written by the group's leader that criticized Elijah Muhammad, founder and head of the Nation of Islam.
Sgt. Boccabella spent several months traveling the country, following leads and tips, which resulted in the apprehension and indictment of eight Black Muslims from Philadelphia, five of whom were convicted.
Daniel Dominic Boccabella Sr. was born in the District, growing up in the Brookland neighborhood and graduated from McKinley Technical High School. After serving with the Army in Europe for three years, he joined the D.C. police.
He retired from the Organized Crime Branch in 1979 and moved to Cape Coral, where he owned AllCape Realty until a second retirement in 1999.
His first wife, the former Cynthia Ann Abbott, died in 2003.
Survivors include his wife of a year, Peggy Clarke Hodges-Boccabella of Cape Coral; two children from his first marriage, Daniel D. Boccabella Jr. of Gainesville, Fla., and Christy Boccabella-Brown of St. Petersburg, Fla.; a sister; and a granddaughter.
Thanks to the Washington Post Newspaper for the above article.
Daniel (Danny) Boccabella Sr. born December 21, 1936, he was raised in N.E. Washington DC. Upon graduation from McKinley Tech High School in DC, he enlisted in the Army for 3 years where he attained the rank of Sergeant. He was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany.
Mr. Boccabella joined the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. in 1960 where he was Sergeant/Detective Supervisor. He retired from the Organized Crime Branch with over 20 years of service. Mr. Boccabella received 34 awards and commendations throughout his career. He was the lead detective of his squad in the 1973 Mass Murder case which was the largest execution murder case in DC history. Mr. Boccabella spent approximately 6 months travelling the country following the leads and tips which resulted in the apprehension of all suspects.
He, along with his wife Cindy and their children moved to Cape Coral, Florida in 1979 where we was a realtor and former owner of AllCape Realty, Inc. until 1999. He has since lived in Naples and Cape Coral.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy Boccabella, his sister Barbara Brandenberger of Scottsdale, Arizona, his son, Daniel D. Boccabella, Jr. of Gainesville, Florida, his daughter, Christy Boccabella-Brown and granddaughter Madison Brown, both of St. Petersburg, Florida.
Family will receive friends on Sunday, June 28 from 6-8 p.m. at Metz Funeral Home at 1306 Lafayette Street Cape Coral, 239-542-2134. The funeral will be on Monday, June 29 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Andrew Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Coral Ridge Cemetery.
Thanks to Legacy.com and News-Press.com for the above article.
Detective Sergeant Daniel Dominic Boccabella was a retired member of the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC.
D.C. Officer Was Lead Detective on 1973 Mass Murder Case
Daniel D. Boccabella Sr. investigated the execution-style slaying of seven people at a Northwest house.
Daniel D. Boccabella Sr., 72, a retired D.C. police officer who was the lead detective in a 1973 mass murder case, died June 25 at a hospice in Cape Coral, Fla. He had complications from melanoma.
Mr. Boccabella, known as Danny, joined the D.C. police department in 1960 and eventually became a sergeant and detective supervisor.
On at least two occasions during almost two decades on the force, he found himself in the right place at the right time, according to reports in The Washington Post. On a March night in 1968, plainclothesman Boccabella was walking two friends to their car on K Street SW when two men approached them, one pulling a gun and saying: "Be quiet. Give me all your money." Mr. Boccabella, who was off duty, pulled his service revolver instead of his money. The would-be robbers fled.
Later that year, then-Sgt. Boccabella was on his way to a police garage and was waiting for a light at 18th and G streets NW when a man who had just robbed Burk Jewelers ran past on the sidewalk. The officer leaped from his car and arrested the suspect, who was literally holding the bag -- a gray paper bag filled with watches, rings and cash.
His highest-profile investigation was the 1973 execution-style slaying of seven people at a house on 16th Street NW that was the national headquarters of the Hanafi Madhab Moslems, as the group was called at the time. The assailants fatally shot two men and drowned five children, including a 9-day-old boy, reportedly in retaliation for letters written by the group's leader that criticized Elijah Muhammad, founder and head of the Nation of Islam.
Sgt. Boccabella spent several months traveling the country, following leads and tips, which resulted in the apprehension and indictment of eight Black Muslims from Philadelphia, five of whom were convicted.
Daniel Dominic Boccabella Sr. was born in the District, growing up in the Brookland neighborhood and graduated from McKinley Technical High School. After serving with the Army in Europe for three years, he joined the D.C. police.
He retired from the Organized Crime Branch in 1979 and moved to Cape Coral, where he owned AllCape Realty until a second retirement in 1999.
His first wife, the former Cynthia Ann Abbott, died in 2003.
Survivors include his wife of a year, Peggy Clarke Hodges-Boccabella of Cape Coral; two children from his first marriage, Daniel D. Boccabella Jr. of Gainesville, Fla., and Christy Boccabella-Brown of St. Petersburg, Fla.; a sister; and a granddaughter.
Thanks to the Washington Post Newspaper for the above article.
Daniel (Danny) Boccabella Sr. born December 21, 1936, he was raised in N.E. Washington DC. Upon graduation from McKinley Tech High School in DC, he enlisted in the Army for 3 years where he attained the rank of Sergeant. He was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany.
Mr. Boccabella joined the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. in 1960 where he was Sergeant/Detective Supervisor. He retired from the Organized Crime Branch with over 20 years of service. Mr. Boccabella received 34 awards and commendations throughout his career. He was the lead detective of his squad in the 1973 Mass Murder case which was the largest execution murder case in DC history. Mr. Boccabella spent approximately 6 months travelling the country following the leads and tips which resulted in the apprehension of all suspects.
He, along with his wife Cindy and their children moved to Cape Coral, Florida in 1979 where we was a realtor and former owner of AllCape Realty, Inc. until 1999. He has since lived in Naples and Cape Coral.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy Boccabella, his sister Barbara Brandenberger of Scottsdale, Arizona, his son, Daniel D. Boccabella, Jr. of Gainesville, Florida, his daughter, Christy Boccabella-Brown and granddaughter Madison Brown, both of St. Petersburg, Florida.
Family will receive friends on Sunday, June 28 from 6-8 p.m. at Metz Funeral Home at 1306 Lafayette Street Cape Coral, 239-542-2134. The funeral will be on Monday, June 29 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Andrew Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Coral Ridge Cemetery.
Thanks to Legacy.com and News-Press.com for the above article.
D.C. Officer Was Lead Detective on 1973 Mass Murder Case
Daniel D. Boccabella Sr. investigated the execution-style slaying of seven people at a Northwest house.
Daniel D. Boccabella Sr., 72, a retired D.C. police officer who was the lead detective in a 1973 mass murder case, died June 25 at a hospice in Cape Coral, Fla. He had complications from melanoma.
Mr. Boccabella, known as Danny, joined the D.C. police department in 1960 and eventually became a sergeant and detective supervisor.
On at least two occasions during almost two decades on the force, he found himself in the right place at the right time, according to reports in The Washington Post. On a March night in 1968, plainclothesman Boccabella was walking two friends to their car on K Street SW when two men approached them, one pulling a gun and saying: "Be quiet. Give me all your money." Mr. Boccabella, who was off duty, pulled his service revolver instead of his money. The would-be robbers fled.
Later that year, then-Sgt. Boccabella was on his way to a police garage and was waiting for a light at 18th and G streets NW when a man who had just robbed Burk Jewelers ran past on the sidewalk. The officer leaped from his car and arrested the suspect, who was literally holding the bag -- a gray paper bag filled with watches, rings and cash.
His highest-profile investigation was the 1973 execution-style slaying of seven people at a house on 16th Street NW that was the national headquarters of the Hanafi Madhab Moslems, as the group was called at the time. The assailants fatally shot two men and drowned five children, including a 9-day-old boy, reportedly in retaliation for letters written by the group's leader that criticized Elijah Muhammad, founder and head of the Nation of Islam.
Sgt. Boccabella spent several months traveling the country, following leads and tips, which resulted in the apprehension and indictment of eight Black Muslims from Philadelphia, five of whom were convicted.
Daniel Dominic Boccabella Sr. was born in the District, growing up in the Brookland neighborhood and graduated from McKinley Technical High School. After serving with the Army in Europe for three years, he joined the D.C. police.
He retired from the Organized Crime Branch in 1979 and moved to Cape Coral, where he owned AllCape Realty until a second retirement in 1999.
His first wife, the former Cynthia Ann Abbott, died in 2003.
Survivors include his wife of a year, Peggy Clarke Hodges-Boccabella of Cape Coral; two children from his first marriage, Daniel D. Boccabella Jr. of Gainesville, Fla., and Christy Boccabella-Brown of St. Petersburg, Fla.; a sister; and a granddaughter.
Thanks to the Washington Post Newspaper for the above article.
Daniel (Danny) Boccabella Sr. born December 21, 1936, he was raised in N.E. Washington DC. Upon graduation from McKinley Tech High School in DC, he enlisted in the Army for 3 years where he attained the rank of Sergeant. He was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany.
Mr. Boccabella joined the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. in 1960 where he was Sergeant/Detective Supervisor. He retired from the Organized Crime Branch with over 20 years of service. Mr. Boccabella received 34 awards and commendations throughout his career. He was the lead detective of his squad in the 1973 Mass Murder case which was the largest execution murder case in DC history. Mr. Boccabella spent approximately 6 months travelling the country following the leads and tips which resulted in the apprehension of all suspects.
He, along with his wife Cindy and their children moved to Cape Coral, Florida in 1979 where we was a realtor and former owner of AllCape Realty, Inc. until 1999. He has since lived in Naples and Cape Coral.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy Boccabella, his sister Barbara Brandenberger of Scottsdale, Arizona, his son, Daniel D. Boccabella, Jr. of Gainesville, Florida, his daughter, Christy Boccabella-Brown and granddaughter Madison Brown, both of St. Petersburg, Florida.
Family will receive friends on Sunday, June 28 from 6-8 p.m. at Metz Funeral Home at 1306 Lafayette Street Cape Coral, 239-542-2134. The funeral will be on Monday, June 29 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Andrew Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Coral Ridge Cemetery.
Thanks to Legacy.com and News-Press.com for the above article.
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