Phil Ammann
Florida lawmakers are seeking to rename a section of Alternate U.S. 19 in northern Pinellas County after a Tarpon Springs police officer killed in the line of duty in 2014.
On Thursday, the Florida Senate unanimously approved changing the name of a stretch between Tarpon Avenue and the Pasco County line to the Officer Charles ‘Charlie K’ Kondek Jr. Memorial Highway.
The House passed a companion Wednesday, reports the Tampa Bay Times.
Kondek had responded to a noise complaint in December 2014 when the 45-year-old officer was shot and killed.
Police later charged Marco Antonio Parilla Jr., with the shooting. The 23-year-old had been released from prison that March and was wanted for alleged probation violation.
“I thought this would be a very good way to remember his service and his sacrifice,” Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala told the Senate before passing the measure.
Palm Harbor Republican Chris Sprowls sponsored the House version.
6 comments
Teresa Kondek
April 28, 2017 at 2:12 pm
I was honored to watch this bill pass. Our children and I will forever be grateful for this. It’s our hope that Charlie will never be forgotten. We still miss him tremendously. Thank you for this article!
Teresa Kondek
Proud widow of Officer Charles Kondek, Jr.
Tarpon Springs Police Dept.
EOW 12/21/14
Barry S. Smith
April 28, 2017 at 2:18 pm
RIP Charlie
We will not forget.
Brothers in Blue
Mary Benner
April 28, 2017 at 5:28 pm
Your headline and photo are misleading because they reference US 19, but Alternate 19 is the road being renamed in Officer
Kondek’s memory.
Charles R Kondek
April 28, 2017 at 10:50 pm
My son my hero. Love and miss you very much as do your brother and sisters.
Patti Zaldivar
April 29, 2017 at 9:49 am
There is not a time that I pass through town that I don’t think of that horrible fateful night and I am just an ordinary resident that has been deeply touched by this horrific incident. Thank you for passing this bill to honor someone that gave his life for his community. I know I will never forget.
Cindy Warren
April 29, 2017 at 6:46 pm
This is a great honor!
Mother of Fallen Officer David Curtis, Tampa PD
Comments are closed.