Webster Says Slain Agent Gave ‘Last Full Measure of Devotion’

FBI Director William H. Webster, attending the second funeral of one of his agents in as many days, said Tuesday that Jerry Dove gave the “last full measure of devotion” in a gun battle with bank robbery suspects.

Dove, 30, one of two agents killed in a shoot-out with two armored car robbery suspects in Miami last Friday, “lived to see his childhood dream become a reality,” Webster said.

“His courage and devotion to duty never wavered,” Webster said of Dove. “We had a very tall man. He gave all of us his last full measure of devotion.”

400 Attend Rites

Webster was among 400 people attending memorial and burial services for Dove, and he flew from Miami, where he attended services for the other dead agent, Benjamin T. Grogan, 53, on Monday.

Five other agents were wounded in the shoot-out in which two suspects were killed.

Dozens of law enforcement officials were among the mourners Tuesday. Gov. Arch A. Moore Jr., State Police Supt. Fred Donohoe and Atty. Gen. Charlie Brown also attended the service.

Special Agent Bob Ross, who was with Dove when he died, praised his partner of the last nine months.

“We were as close as any two agents ever were,” Ross said. “At the end, Jerry was up front, where he always wanted to be. He was a front-line guy all the way.”

Ross said that Dove and Grogan did not suffer when they died.

“It was very quick,” he said.

Ross, a 15-year veteran of the FBI, called Dove a “throwback” to what law enforcement officers used to be.

‘A Beautiful Person’

“He had enthusiasm, desire and dedication in plenty,” Ross said. “His sense of humor was unique, he loved people and he believed in what he was doing. He was a beautiful person.”

Memorial services and graveside rites were conducted by the Rev. Joe Harpold, a close friend of Dove.

“He was a fun person to be around,” Harpold said later. “He sought to live life to the fullest. He wasn’t afraid to set goals and go for them. He wasn’t afraid to live.”