Community Gathers to Honor Deputy John Robert Kotfila Jr. on 10-Year Anniversary

Community Gathers to Honor Deputy John Robert Kotfila Jr. on 10-Year Anniversary

Memorial Bench Unveiling and Dedication 

On March 12, the Kotfila family, law enforcement partners, and members of the Tampa community gathered at the Deputy John Robert Kotfila Jr. Memorial Dog Park to mark the 10-year anniversary of Deputy Kotfila’s passing and dedicate a commemorative bench in his honor.

Deputy Kotfila, a member of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, lost his life in March 2016 on the Selmon Expressway while responding to a wrong-way driver. During the incident, he placed his patrol car between the oncoming vehicle and other motorists, protecting others and sacrificing his life in the process. His actions reflected the courage and selflessness that defined his service to the community.

The memorial dog park was created in his honor and is located along the Selmon Greenway beneath the expressway. Inspired by his love for his German Shepherd, Dexter, the park was envisioned as a living memorial and a place where families, neighbors, and their pets can gather.

During the ceremony, remarks were shared by Greg Slater, THEA CEO and Executive Director; Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister; Representative Danny Alvarez’s District Aide Michael Rogenmoser; and Deputy Kotfila’s father, John Kotfila Sr., who reflected on the deputy’s life, service, and lasting impact on the community.

The Kotfila family unveiled a commemorative bench that will now serve as a permanent place for reflection within the park.

Ten years later, Deputy Kotfila’s legacy continues to inspire the community he served. The park remains a space that brings neighbors, families, and their dogs together, honoring a life defined by courage, service, and commitment to protecting others.

THEA is honored to support the Kotfila family in preserving Deputy Kotfila’s legacy and the community space created in his memory.

Click HERE for high resolution photos from the dedication.

Watch WFLA: HCSO Deputy remembered with park bench dedication

Watch FOX13: Remembering Deputy John Robert Kotfila Jr.