Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 8-11-17

Features
Warrant Issued For East Tampa Shooting Suspect
On the afternoon of July 3rd, an argument between two men ended in gunfire. Detec- tives with the Tampa Police Department had previously been searching for a “person of interest” in the case.
However, they have now determined that 22-year-old Dejonta Jerome Felder is the man who argued with Julius Carter, and then al- legedly shot him several times before fleeing the scene. Carter ran after being shot, collapsed in the backyard at 3408 N. Phillips Street, and died at the scene.
Detectives have obtained a warrant for Felder for sec- ond-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a handgun.
Investigators said, it ap- pears Carter knew the man who shot him and that “he (Carter) attempted to turn or walk away when he was shot.”
JULIUS R. CARTER 5/13/1985 --- 7/3/2017
Investigators said Felder has ties to the Grant Park area. Felder is described as being 6’1” and weighs 225 pounds.
Felder also has outstand- ing warrants for his arrest in an unrelated investigation.
Anyone with information pertaining to the whereabouts of Felder is asked to contact the Tampa Police Department
DEJONTA JEROME FELDER ... Warrant issued for second- degree murder
at (813) 231-6130.
Crime Stoppers of Tampa
Bay is also offering a cash re- ward of up to $3,000 for infor- mation leading to the whereabouts and arrest of De- jonta Jerome Felder on the outstanding warrants. Crime Stoppers can be reached at 1- 800-873-TIPS or www.crime- stopperstb.com.
Retiring Police Chief Leaves Legacy With Community
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Today (Friday), is Chief Eric Ward’s last day as the head of the Tampa Police De- partment. And, while it was not an easy decision to leave, he takes comfort in the legacy he is leaving behind.
“Making the decision to leave was not an easy one. I thought about it for about 6 months. But crime is down, morale is high, and I have the community support. I really enjoyed being out in the com- munity as a team. I’m going to miss the people, but I plan to still stay connected to the community and my phone number will remain the same. My new job will allow me to stay involved.
“Leaving is my own choice because I have an excellent opportunity to change gears and start a new chapter in my life. It was a strategic move, leaving when everything is going well.”
He would have been re- quired to leave in a year be- cause he is enrolled in the DROP program. Once en- rolled, employees must retire in five years.
“Mayor (Bob) Buck- horn was very supportive of me. I couldn’t have asked for a better boss. He let me have full range with what I wanted to do and it worked.”
Chief Ward said he is most proud of being able to get into the community and work with the people. “My greatest accomplishment is seeing the end result of engag- ing the community. I’m very proud to see the relationship between the department and the community advance to what it is today.”
Chief Ward was chosen as the Chief of Police in 2015. During his tenure, he served on various boards, commit- tees, and with numerous or- ganizations to help them get involved in a positive manner.
As for the department, Chief Ward said he was, “Fair, but firm. I held people accountable.”
He will serve as the Direc- tor of Security with Coca Cola Beverages, which is a minor- ity-owned Florida business. Troy Taylor is the CEO of the company.
Chief Ward will be based in Tampa, but will be required to travel on occasion. He said the company has been in-
volved in the community in the past and is looking for ways to continue that involve- ment. And, that also played into his decision to join them.
A Tampa native, Chief Ward is a 29-year veteran of the department. He graduated from Hillsborough High School in 1984, and prepared himself for a career in law en- forcement. He joined the Tampa Police Department in 1988.
Chief Ward enrolled at St. Leo College, where he earned his degree in Criminal Justice. He continued his ed- ucation at that institution of higher learning and earned his B. A. degree in Criminal Jus- tice.
During his career in law enforcement, Chief Ward has been assigned to the Crim- inal Intelligence Bureau, K-9, Gang Suppression Unit, Fire- house Program, Street Anti- Crime Squad and Selective Enforcement Bureau.
Chief Ward was also a member of the department’s Tactical Response Team, Honor Guard, and Hostage Negotiation Team before be- coming a senior staff member.
He is a graduate of the prestigious Police Executive Leadership Development pro- gram and the United States Secret Service Dignitary Sem- inar for Managers.
Chief Ward was raised in East Tampa, where he was a member of the Belmont Heights Little League. He is married and the father of two children.
Leaving the department will require an adjustment on Chief Ward’s part. “I pick up the telephone 2 or 3 times a night wondering what’s wrong,” he said.
ERIC WARD
... Retiring Tampa Police Chief
FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-A