Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 4-5-19

Local Feature
Straz Targets Crime Rate Of Former Chief
As the day draws closer for Tampa residents to elect a new mayor, each candidate is vying for attention.
In his most recent com- mercial, candidate David Straz is targeting the crime rate at the Tampa Police De- partment under Jane Cas- tor’s rule.
In the commercial, Straz stated that the statistics show a steady decrease in crime. However, the murder rate went up 70%.
Castor denies that the reported statistics were mis- leading. While serving as the Chief of Police, she main- tained that crime had been significantly reduced.
DAVID STRAZ
Residents in the City of Tampa will select a new mayor in the runoff election on April 23rd.
Mom Asks For Help To Solve Son’s Murder
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
A year ago, Ms. Cathy Jackson received news that no parent wants to hear. She learned that her 39-year-old son, William Floyd Alexander, III, had been shot and died from his in- juries.
The murder occurred on March 28, 2018, shortly after 6 a.m., at 415 W. Park Av- enue. It remains an open in- vestigation.
Now, Ms. Jackson is asking the community to help solve the murder. “There were several people in that house when the shooting took place. I’m asking anyone with information about it to please come forward to bring some closure to his family.”
Alexander was her first born of three children. He has a brother and sister still mourning their loss.
WILLIAM ALEXANDER, III
He had a close relation- ship with his family and en- joyed spending time with them, especially his sons.
Ms. Jackson said her son attended the public schools of Hillsborough County and later earned his GED. She describes his as being “multi-talented. He could put anything together.”
At the time of his death, he was working in the carpentry
industry.
And, when he wasn’t
working, one of his favorite past times was fishing. “He loved fishing, music, building stereo speakers and just working with his hands.
“When he was fishing, you could always find him at Pic- nic Island, that was his fa- vorite place to fish,” she said.
“Someone knows who shot my son. I’m asking them to come forward with the in- formation,” Ms. Jackson said.
Ms. Jackson said the case is being investigated by the Tampa Police Depart- ment. She said it has now been a year. But, no one has been taken into custody in reference to the murder.
Anyone with information can remain anonymous and contact Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873- TIPS or online at www.crimestopperstb.com.
Former Tampa Athlete Passes In Dallas
A former Tampa standout athlete passed away last Wednesday, March 27, 2019, in Dallas, Texas.
Deacon Samuel Booker, who played basket- ball and football for Middle- ton High Schoo,l was 86 years old.
Booker was born No- vember 7, 1932, to Joseph and Tessie Bradham Booker in Woodville, FL. His father died when he was very young.
Eventually, he and his mother moved to Tampa to live with her sister, setting the scene for him to meet the love of his life, Elizabeth Boger. Initially, attending rival junior high schools as an athlete and cheerleader, respectively, they later at- tended Tampa’s Middleton High School.
Although he played offen- sive tackle, his high school football coach entrusted him to call plays from his posi- tion. He graduated in 1952, with high honors.
Whenever he moved to a new city, Deacon Booker diligently sought a church home where he could con- tinue to grow and serve God, often as an usher, teacher and later as a deacon and di- rector of Christian Educa- tion. The family joined Carver Heights Baptist Church in 1970, where his passion for Christian Educa- tion flourished.
DEACON SAMUEL BOOKER
In 1986, he became a charter member of Antioch Fellowship Missionary Bap- tist Church, under the lead- ership of Pastor Karry Wesley, where his commit- ment to Christian Education continued to grow.
He leaves to cherish his memories: his wife, Eliza- beth “Queen Bee” Booker of Dallas; a daugh- ter, Rita (Kenneth) of Ar- lington; a son, Stephan (Deborah) Booker, of Grand Prairie; three grand- children, three great-grand- children, and a host of nephews and nieces.
His Tampa family in- cludes brothers-in-law: Wilbert (Patricia) Mal- phus, Clarence and Mil- ton Malphus and Ernest Boger.
A Homegoing Service will be held Saturday, April 6, 2019, noon at Antioch Fel- lowship Baptist Church, in Dallas.
FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-A