On Wednesday, June 29th, Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor, District III Commander, Major Gerald Honeywell, and 200 officers, family and friends gathered at the District III Headquarters, 3808 North 22nd Street to attend a special ceremony.

At 6:30 p. m., the “Hallway Of Heroes” was unveiled in honor of slain police officers Dave Curtis and Jeff Kocab.

The ceremony and unveiling marked the one year anniversary of that fatal night.

Dontae Morris, the lone shooter, is awaiting trial for the officers’ murder.

The Hallway Of Heroes was the brainchild of Officer Bill Logan and Detective Steve Power. Tampa Police Corporal Les Richardson painted a mural along the entryway to District III where Curtis and Kocab worked. There is also a glass etching with Kocab and Curtis’s badges illuminated with a blue LED light. Tampa Police Detective Larry Brass created the officer’s badges with pavers in the walkway leading into the Hallway of Heroes.[private]

This project was phase one of the memorial. Groundbreaking on a phase two memorial garden will start next month. Kocab and Curtis’s squad came up with the idea for the garden as a place for quiet reflection.

Major Honeywell said he told his troops to run with it when they approached him with the idea.

“They did a real professional job. They spoke, set everything up, got the word out, and cleaned up afterwards.
“I was asked to speak, but I was too emotional for that. What I say comes from my heart, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to maintain my composure.”

Major Honeywell said it was an awesome ceremony, and he’s proud of everyone.

“To my surprise, we had more than 200 people show up, including former Mayor, Pam Iorio, and representatives from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It was good to see that kind of community support. I think this project shows that we are indeed a family.”

Major Honeywell said the proposed memorial garden will be slightly different than the one for Corporal Mike Roberts at the District II Headquarters.

“I think the Hallway of Heroes is something we can all be very proud of.”

The garden and the Hallway of Heroes were strategically placed. As officers pull into District III each day, they will drive by the garden. Once they park their cars and walk into the building, they will walk through the Hallway of Heroes and pass the etching in memory of Curtis and Kocab.[/private]