[06-29-10] Tampa Bay PD, Florida

[Chapman38]

Officer David Curtis

Tampa Police Department, Florida
End of Watch: Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Biographical Info

Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 3 years, 8 months
Badge Number: Not available
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Apprehended


Officers David Curtis and Jeffrey Kocab were shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest at a traffic stop.

Officer Curtis stopped a vehicle because it did not have a visible license plate. He called for an additional unit to assist him because a male passenger in the car was wanted on a misdemeanor charge for writing a worthless check. When Officer Curtis arrived, he and Officer Kocab attempted to arrest the suspect. The suspect drew a weapon and shot both officers at close range.

A witness called 911 to report the shooting. Officer Kocab died shortly after arriving at the hospital and Officer Curtis was pronounced dead a few hours later.

The suspect surrendered and was taken into custody four days later.

Officer Curtis had served with the Tampa police for three years and eight months and had previously served with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. He is survived by his wife and four young sons.



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Officer Jeffrey Kocab


Tampa Police Department Florida
End of Watch: Tuesday, June 29, 2010


Biographical Info

Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 1 year, 2 months
Badge Number: Not available
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Apprehended

Officers Jeffrey Kocab and David Curtis were shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest at a traffic stop.

Officer Curtis stopped a vehicle because it did not have a visible license plate. He called for an additional unit to assist him because a male passenger in the car was wanted on a misdemeanor charge for writing a worthless check. When Officer Curtis arrived, he and Officer Kocab attempted to arrest the suspect. The suspect drew a weapon and shot both officers at close range.

A witness called 911 to report the shooting. Officer Kocab died shortly after arriving at the hospital and Officer Curtis was pronounced dead a few hours later.

The suspect surrendered and was taken into custody four days later.

Officer Kocab served with the Tampa police for 14 months and had previously served with the Plant City Police Department. He is survived by his expectant wife.

Below story is related to Officer Jeffrey Kocab.
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Widow of Slain Tampa Officer Delivers Stillborn Baby Girl

JULY 21 | TAMPA, FL – Sara Kocab was nine months pregnant when her husband, Jeffrey Kocab was murdered on June 29, 2010. Sarah went into labor today and delivered the couple’s first child: a stillborn baby girl named Lilly Nicole.

The Tampa police department released a statement today on behalf of Sara Kocab. It reads as follows, “Sara Kocab and her family would like to thank the countless people who have shown their support and care during these past few weeks.

Sara delivered Lilly Nicole this morning. Sara and her family have known during the pregnancy that Lilly Nicole had a major abnormality that could result in Lilly being stillborn or only able to live a limited time after delivery. There is no medical treatment for this abnormality.

Tragically, Lilly Nicole was delivered stillborn early this morning July 21, 2010.

The family thanks you for your continued prayer and support. They kindly request that you respect the family’s privacy during this time.

At the family’s request, this will be the only information released from the Tampa Police Department. We will not be conducting any interviews on the topic.

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I just can't begin to fathom the stress this young woman is going through right now. Her worst nightmare of her husband being killed in the line of duty, and now he daughter being still-born. This is a tragedy and her husband should be here to comfort her. But thanks to a low-life, that's not the case..