Tampa Bay says goodbye to Tarpon Springs Officer Charles Kondek Officer Kondeks body arrived for the funeral at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz on Saturday December 27th, 2014. TAMPA — Charles Kondeks youngest daughter Aleena once asked her father what he dreamed of becoming when he was a child. He said a police officer, just like my dad, she said. That made me smile because he was doing what he always wanted to do. It was a story the daughter shared at her fathers funeral on Saturday. Thousands of law enforcement officers gathered at Idlewild Baptist Church to honor Kondek, the Tarpon Springs police officer and father of six who was killed in the line of duty on Sunday. He loved us hard. He gave us all ..., Aleena Kondek told the assembly with sister Holly at her side. He went without to give us everything. Kondeks father was an officer with the New York City Police Department, and so was the son. After five years with NYPD, Charles Kondek moved to Florida and joined the Tarpon Springs Police Department. He spent 17 years on the force there, much of it on the midnight shift. He was remembered Saturday as a loyal friend, husband and father; a diehard fan of AC/DC and the New York Jets; a mentor to rookie officers, a great shift partner and a lighthearted presence in a tough job; and a vigilant officer who sacrificed his life for his community. For some, like Charlie K, as we called him, its a calling, said Tarpon Springs Police Chief Robert Kochen. Its who we are, not just what we do. Charlie spent 22 years helping others, enforcing the law, maintaining order, showing compassion to victims, facing danger and protecting his community. Kondek was investigating an early morning noise complaint Sunday when authorities said he was shot and killed after exchanging gunfire with a convicted felon. Charlie was taken from us, said Sgt. Michael Trill, but I am here to tell you today he left as a warrior. Said Capt. Jeffrey Young: Rest in peace Charlie. Youll be missed but never forgotten. After the church service, the family and thousands of officers in attendance moved outside for the 21-gun salute, the playing ofTaps and a helicopter flyover. As the four sheriffs helicopters from Hillsborough and Pinellas counties passed over the crowd below, one veered away from the rest to execute an aerial salute: the missing man formation. The service concluded with a dispatcher broadcasting the final call for Kondeks call sign over police radios — 285 — which will now be retired. Earlier Saturday morning, outside the church, Pasco Clerk Paula ONeil read a statement from the family revealing how difficult this years holiday has been without Kondek, who was killed in the line of duty. The officers wife, Teresa Kondek, works for the Pasco Clerk of the Circuit Court. We miss him so much, read the statement. Charlie was our best friend. His heart was wide open. He loved Christmas and his excitement would fill the house every year as he played Christmas carols and announced that Santa had come. Opening Christmas gifts without him this year was unbearable, knowing that the gifts we received from him would be our last. In their statement Saturday morning, the officers family also expressed their thanks for the support theyve received from the community and Kondeks fellow officers in the Tarpon Springs Police Department, the Pasco County Sheriffs Office and the Pinellas County Sheriffs Office. The sergeants, captains, detectives and officers ... as well as the chief and sheriffs have been supportive beyond measure. They, and many of their spouses, have helped each one of us in many ways, including finishing our Christmas shopping, grocery shopping and sadly, preparing our children to say goodbye to their father. Giving him back to God is the hardest thing we have ever done. We feel empty without him. The outpouring of support from friends, coworkers and strangers has helped us realize the impact he had and how respected he was within the community. Thank you for loving him and extending that love to all law enforcement professionals. Please help us return to a world that respects and appreciates the men and women who protect us, our everyday heroes. From Charlies wife, children and family. The funeral procession will drive through Tarpon Springs before heading north to a private graveside ceremony in Hudson.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 19:08:59 +0000
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