Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 3-15-16 Edition

Local
Wrong Way Accident Leaves Deputy, Driver Dead
Early Saturday morning, a driver traveling in the wrong direction crashed head-on into a Hillsborough County Sher- iff’s Office marked vehicle. Both drivers died as a result of the accident.
According to the Hillsbor- ough County Sheriff’s Office, the accident that claimed the lives of Deputy John R. Kotfila, Jr., 30, and 31-year- old Erik Thomas McBeth, of Hudson, took place on the LeRoy Selmon Expressway. Police received the 9-1-1 call at approximately 2:45 a.m.
Police said McBeth was traveling in the wrong direc- tion on the Expressway when his 2013 GMC Terrain collided with the 2013 Dodge Charger driven by Deputy Kotfila. McBeth died at the scene.
Deputy Kotfila was transported to Tampa General Hospital in critical condition. He later died of his injuries.
Police said the 9-1-1 caller reported that the accident took place on the Upper Deck of the Selmon Expressway at the Brandon Exit. Deputy Kot- fila had just left Tampa Gen- eral Hospital investigating a traffic accident and was travel- ing eastbound when the acci- dent occurred.
Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee said, “Our HCSO family is one less today. The tragic loss of one of my deputies has all of our hearts heavy. The most dreaded part of being Sheriff of Hillsborough County is get- ting the news that a deputy has lost his or her life in the line of duty. I know the citizens of Hillsborough County and from
DEPUTY JOHN R. KOTFILA, JR. 9/9/1985 --- 3/12/2016
This was the vehicle Deputy John Kotfila, Jr., was driving when the fatal accident occurred early Saturday morning.
all corners of this great nation join HCSO as we mourn.
“But this sadness is tem- pered with an enduring pride that our deputy fought the good fight. This is our vow, then, now and tomorrow. We will embrace our deputy’s fam- ily with the honor and respect due to one who dedicated his life to serve and protect. Thank you for your prayers for our deputy and his family.”
In addition to being a traf-
fic accident investigator, Deputy Kotfila was also a founding member of the de- partment’s SafetyNet Team. The Safetynet Team provides assistance in locating missing adults and children with spe- cial needs who tend to wander away from home. He had been a member of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for 6 years.
The investigation into the accident is continuing.
Black History Experience To Recognize Book Store
HARRY RICHARDSON (Skip) AND GIGI BEST-RICHARDSON
The Robert W. Saunders Public Library and the RWS Library Foundation, Inc. will award the Lamp Of Knowl- edge Award on Monday, March 14, 5:30 p. m. to the Best Books Rich Treasurer (BBRT) African American Book Store (located in South Tampa).
BBRT is an African Ameri- can and Veteran owned anti- quarian bookstore located at 5609 Interbay Blvd., Tampa, FL 33611.
The owners, Harry Richardson (Skip) and Gigi Best-Richardson, es- tablished BBRT in 1997 and it began as a traveling vendor before opening a brick and
mortar store. It has been lo- cated in four other cities and two different countries (Korea and Turkey) before opening in Tampa.
They specialize in used, new and rare books, African Diaspora and many other gen- res. They serve the local mili- tary and civilian community, but also have their business on the web (www.bestbook- srichtreasures.com).
Gigi is an author/pub- lisher and genealogist, who is a member of several National Hereditary Societies to in- clude Daughters of the Amer- ican Revolution and publishes a genealogy blog (Carries.Kin.blog spot.com).
Tampa Bay AirFest Featuring Unique Tribute To Tuskegee Airmen
The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Red Tail Squadron, America’s tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, and their RISE ABOVE Traveling Ex- hibit mobile theater will be at the Tampa Bay Air- Fest March 19 – 20. The theater is an exciting and FREE way to experience the inspiring story of the Tuskegee Airmen – America’s first Black military pilots and their support personnel.
In addition, a T-1 Jayhawk aircraft from the 99th Flying Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio – Randolph is scheduled to be on static display with the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit.
The Squadron traces their roots back to the original 99th Pursuit Squadron formed during WWII as the U. S. Army Air Corps’ first African American fighter squadron. The T-1 aircraft is complete with red tail, in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen who were known as the Red Tails in the WWII because they painted the tails of their air- craft red to distinguish themselves from other units.
RED TAIL SQUADRON ...Traveling Exhibit -- Tribute to Tuskegee Airmen
The immersive RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit is a fully functional movie theater featuring the orig- inal short film “Rise Above,” designed to take the audience on a journey through time – and then through the air. The theater’s dynamic 160-degree panoramic screen creates the sensation of being in the cockpit soaring above the clouds in the P-51C Mustang, the signature aircraft of the Tuskegee Air- men in WWII. It’s much more than a history lesson; the Tuskegee Airmen’s ability to triumph over ad- versity serves as a means to inspire others to RISE ABOVE obstacles in their own lives and achieve their goals.
Tampa Bay AirFest is a free event open to the public at MacDill Air Force Base March 19 – 20. Gates open at 8 a. m. with aerial performances starting at 10 a. m. Both admission and parking are free. Learn more at www.macdill.af.mil/airfest2016/.
PAGE 4 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2016