53 arrested in massive operation inspired by officer's murder

NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) -- Several local law enforcement and Federal agencies gathered at the North Miami Beach Police Department on Friday to reveal details of an organized gang crackdown operation triggered by the murder of a Miami Police detective in that city over a year ago.

"Operation Dead End" was borne out of the January 2008 homicide of Miami Detective James Walker, who was found in his car shot to death allegedly at the hands of gang member Andrew Rowe. The massive sweep has yielded 53 arrests, 36 of which carry charges for various attempted murders, robberies, burglaries and dealings of marijuana, ecstasy, crack and powder cocaine.

North Miami Beach Police Chief Rafael Hernandez, Jr. believes the suspects were inspired by the lifestyle of a ruthless fictional criminal actor Al Pacino portrayed on the big screen in 1983. "As the S.W.A.T. team walked in, the first thing they came in contact with was with a [Tony Montana] picture on the wall from Scarface," said the chief, describing the search of a residence connected to gang activity. "This is the kind of mentality these gang members have."

The criminal activity's human cost prompted the attention of Federal authorities. "Gang violence leads to the death of police officers who are out there trying to protect us, and to the death of innocent bystanders trying to go about their daily lives," said U.S. Attorney Jeff Sloman.

Hernandez passed on the operation's success to the agents on the front line. "The true heroes and our guardian angels are the men and women you see standing behind me," he said. "All the gang units."

Walker's death adds an emotional component to the operation. "Absolutely it was upsetting, it would be upsetting for anybody," said Hernandez. "It hit close to home."

Large amounts of cash, drugs and weapons have been collected among the evidence, including six firearms that operate with ammunition that authorities say is capable of penetrating a bullet-proof vest.

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