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Features
Tampa Police Major To Head Her Own Department
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Last October, the City of Fort Pierce began its search for a new police chief. After a six- month search that involved 69 applicants, the city has decided upon a replacement.
On Monday afternoon, Tampa Police Major Diane Hobley Burney was con- tacted and offered the position. She applied for the position in January and learned in March that she was among the top ten applicants.
She visited Fort Pierce in March, toured the city and par- ticipated in a Meet & Greet with officials and members of the community. She was im- pressed with the city and the city was impressed with her.
“I think this is one of the greatest honors in my career. Fort Pierce has the potential of a very promising future and I’m grateful that I have been given the opportunity to make history and be a part of its growth.”
Ms. Sheritta Johnson,
Project Manager for the Fort Pierce Police Chief search re- vealed the following statistics about the city and the depart- ment.
The City of Fort Pierce has a population of 43,074 people, of which 42.19% are African American. Whites compose 36.34% of the population and Hispanics make up 20.40%.
The Fort Pierce Police De- partment currently has about 157 employees, with 121 being sworn police officers. The de- partment is not reflective of the community it serves with
MAJOR DIANE HOBLEY BURNEY ... To assume role of Fort Pierce Chief
63% of its officers being white and 17% being African Ameri- can.
Major Hobley Burney
will retire as the Major of Tampa Police Department’s District III Office, where she supervised more than 250 sworn officers and civilian em- ployees.
A Tampa native, Major Hobley Burney joined the Tampa Police Department 27 years ago. Since becoming an officer, she has worked in var- ious capacities throughout the department. She became the second African American woman to reach the rank of Major in the department’s his- tory with her promotion in 2012.
Leaving evokes bittersweet emotions. “Being a Major has been a rewarding experience for me. The officers are dedi- cated, invested, and truly care about the community.
“As a Major, I see that type of care from the officers and words cannot express my ap- preciation for that. I have also
built great bonds in the com- munity and I’m going to miss the people I have come to know not only serving, but love as well.”
During her tenure with the department, Major Hobley Burney assisted with crime reduction in East Tampa and has helped economic redevel- opment by partnering with other community organiza- tions. She oversaw the federal Weed & Seed Program that created anti-drug programs to revitalize the neighborhood and help disad- vantaged children in East Tampa.
Major Hobley Burney
has served as a mentor at the department’s RICH House that is a safe haven for under- privileged children in Sulphur Springs. She also oversaw a second RICH House open in the Robles Public Housing Complex.
Major Hobley Burney
earned her B. S. Degree in So- ciology, and M. S. Degree in Criminal Justice with a con- centration in Criminal Inci- dent Management, from Saint Leo University.
She will become the first fe- male to lead the Fort Pierce Police Department and one of her first goals is to help the de- partment become more reflec- tive of the community it serves.
After her decision to ex- pand her career was revealed, Major Hobley Burney said, “I am so humbled by the sup- port that I have received, I can- not expressed how humbled I am by that support.”
Major Hobley Burney is the mother of 3 adult children.
Young Mom Killed Crossing Hillsborough Ave. ‘Loved By Everyone’
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Late Wednesday night, a 33-year-old East Tampa mother was struck by a car as she attempted to cross the street. She died at the scene of the accident.
According to police, the accident occurred shortly be- fore 9 p.m., on E. Hillsbor- ough Avenue, near N. 42nd Street. The accident victim has been identified as Ms. Tamica La’Kesha “Nyko” Solomon.
She and a friend were crossing the street when the accident occurred. The friend was not injured and detec- tives do not expect to file any criminal charges.
The daughter of Ms. Theresa Doby and Bosie Solomon, Ms. Solomon enrolled at the Barber and Beauty Institute and gradu- ated last May. She also worked at a neighborhood car wash, her mother said.
“She was a mobile barber. When people called, she would go to them. You always saw her carrying her bag. She had a heart of gold and she was a good person. She would really give you the shirt off her back. People knew her by “Nyko.” She loved people and people loved her. She was very popular,” Ms. Doby said.
A Tampa native, Ms. Solomon was the mother of one child, 13-year-old Ashtin. “She loved her son, he was her everything,” her
MS. TAMICA “NYKO” SOLOMON 12/25/1981 --- 4/8/2015
mother said.
Ms. Solomon earned
her GED through the Corner- stone Alliance Program. But, while attending Hillsborough High School, she was recog- nized as a standout basketball player.
Ms. Doby said her daughter enjoyed playing the piano. She enjoyed spending time with her family, espe- cially her son, and playing basketball. Her son is follow- ing in her footsteps. He cur- rently plays for Skills Center Elite.
In addition to her parents and son, Ms. Solomon is survived by 5 sisters, 1 brother, her grandmother, Mrs. Erma Griffin, and numerous family members and friends.
Funeral services for Ms. Solomon were incomplete at press time. Ray Williams Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.
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