PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – When Florida ranked first in the nation for mortgage fraud and second on foreclosures, Robert "Bobby" Parker took action in Miami-Dade County.
He implemented the Mortgage Fraud Task Force and worked with the Miami-Dade County state attorney's office and several other agencies, including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FBI. It was one of the many times he demonstrated his leadership abilities, police said.
He was the first African-American director of the police department, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez said. Juan Perez, the current deputy director of the Miami-Dade Police Department, described him as a "great man and director." And Police Benevolent Association Secretary Luis Fuste said Parker "loved the community."
"Rest easy brother, we have it now," said Joe Naranjo, of Miami-Dade County's Hammocks District Station, on a Facebook post.
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Miami-Dade police announced Parker committed suicide Wednesday. Condolences poured in from former police chiefs who met him at conferences and other members of law enforcement nationwide. From Washington to New York City and Los Angeles, the news of Parker's death was felt Thursday.
"The law enforcement family has lost a wonderful man," Austin Robinson said on Facebook.
The former Miami-Dade County police director was a beacon in the nation's law enforcement community, police said. He did everything he could to get guns off the streets, police said.
In 2007, Parker implemented the Gun Bounty Program. Those who used Crime Stoppers to turn in someone with an illegal gun would immediately get a $1,000 reward from money seized through prosecutions. Two years after his retirement, the little-known program reported having removed 535 illegal guns from the streets and making 329 arrests.
"Bobby was truly a leader and law enforcement partner," Kathy Rundle said on Twitter. "[Rest In Peace] my friend."
Parker was active member of The 5000 Role Models, a dropout prevention program for boys in Miami-Dade County public schools. Several school principals said they were saddened by the loss.
"[He was] a great man and mentor," Kenneth Williams, of The 5000 Role Models, said.
Parker graduated from high school in Georgia. After serving in the U.S. Army, Parker joined the police force in 1976. He earned degrees in criminology from Barry University and business administration from University of Miami. In 2004, he earned a graduate degree from Nova Southeastern University. He retired from the Miami-Dade Police Department in 2009.
"Bobby's foresight and hard work have consistently had a profound and positive impact on all of South Florida," Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said during a congressional session in Washington when he retired. "He has always made his greatest efforts for the benefit of others."
He had just turned 62 Tuesday. He died near a canal by the home. He is survived by his son Robert Parker Jr., his daughter, Kalika Parker, who is a mother and a member of the Miami-Dade Police Department, and his wife, Veronica "Ronnie" Parker.
The couple celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary in March.
"Words cannot express the sadness my family feels from losing such a strong, compassionate and God-fearing man," the Parker family said in a statement.
On Parker's Facebook wall, Tony Wilson said he liked serving in the Miami-Dade Police Department, while Parker was a leader. He said he was saddened by all who were devastated with the loss.
"For those of us that knew him, [we] will never forget the man who he was and how he touched us all with his caring and unique personality," Wilson wrote.
Follow Local10.com reporter Andrea Torres on Twitter @MiamiCrime