Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 9-2-16 Online Edition

Features
Founders Of Advocacy Group Ask For Families Of Murder Victims To Unify
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
On February 5, 2005, Elliot and Darla Saunders got news that no parents ever wants to hear. Their son, Isaiah Brooks, 18, had been murdered, and no suspect had been iden- tified.
Not long after that tragedy, Mr. and Mrs. Saunders decided to found an organization that would offer other families who lost a child to violence, a place where they could come up with solutions to stop the violence. They also wanted to work closely with law enforcement officials in solving all of the unsolved murders.
“Now, here we are 11 years later, and no one has been arrested for my son’s murder.
“I know how painful this is for other families, because I’m experiencing it myself. That’s why it’s vital that all of the families come together in numbers, and do whatever it takes to get the unsolved murders of our children solved.”
Mrs. Saunders said all of the families have a common issue, and if they unite, it will get them the attention they’ve been denied.
“We, as a people, have to do something about Black-On-Black crimes, and make sure the investigations are followed through to the end.”
Mrs. Saunders said families who have lost a child to violence no longer have confidence in the police department, and feel these cases aren’t getting the attention they should.
“We’re planning to meet with Chief Eric Ward to work out some kind of strategy, and for him to assure us he has detectives still work- ing on these cases.
“We also will be holding an open mic event to give us a stronger voice.”
Mrs. Saunders said they need all the help they can get and it’s important that they edu- cate the people on how important this mission
MR. AND MRS. ELLIOT (DARLA) SAUNDERS
is.
“Some people ignore our cause until it hap-
pens to a member of their family.
“My husband and I will continue to do out-
reach and work with all departments that have the same vision as we do. You have to be dedi- cated and you have to want to make a differ- ence.”
Mrs. Saunders said they need their elected officials to champion this cause and listen to the parents and their stories.
“We are serious about this, and I want others who are as passionate as I am to join us.
“I want this organization to grow, and we can’t allow ourselves to be distracted and our priorities changed.”
Any parent interested in joining Mr. and Mrs. Saunders on their mission of justice, can call (813) 414-1001.
Funeral Services Planned For Fallen Police Officer
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Funeral services for Tampa Police Master Pa- trol Officer Fred Arnold, III, are tentatively planned for Tuesday, September 6th, at 11 a.m. The funeral will be held at LifePoint Church, 8702 Hunter’s Lake Dr., in New Tampa, FL 33647, at 11 a.m.
According to the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the Lake Mead National Recreation Area Interagency Communication Center re- ceived a call at 1:36 p.m., last Saturday, reporting that a diver had surfaced and was unconscious. Emergency per- sonnel responded to the scene, but could not revive the diver.
The diver was identified as
Master Patrol Officer Fred Arnold, III. Officials said Officer Arnold was diving at the submerged B29 site.
The official cause of death has not been released. It was determined by the Medical Examiner’s Office in Nevada
Master Patrol Officer Arnold began his career with the Tampa Police Depart- ment as a member of the Ex- plorers.
He attended the public schools of Hillsborough County and graduated from Jefferson High School. When he became of age, he joined
FRED ARNOLD, III 8/2/1968 to 8/27/2016
the department as a patrol- man on July 24, 1989.
At the time of his death,
Master Patrol Officer Arnold was assigned to Uni- form District II and was working in the Tampa Palms area. However, he worked the majority of his career in Uni- form District III.
Master Patrol Officer Arnold had celebrated his 27th year on the department. He celebrated his 48th birth- day on August 2nd.
Ms. Kimberly Marple
of the City of Tampa Human Resources Department said, “He was a stellar individual and a good person to be around. I’m not sure that they will be able to fill the void.”
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-A