TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

SWAT Members Receive Award

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 15, 2008

DADE CITY - Gordie Larkin was in mid-sentence when the moment got to him.

A detective with the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, Larkin was speaking at a Dade City Rotary Club meeting, where members of the sheriff's SWAT team were receiving a public service award named after him.

In 2002, Larkin, a member of the SWAT team, was shot between the eyes while issuing a search warrant. He was back on the force a year later. Addressing a crowd of about 100 at the Dade City Business Center, Larkin spoke of the pride he had in his fellow SWAT team members.

Larkin's gaze fell to the back of the room, where Josh Cooley sat in a wheelchair.

"And by Josh's help," Larkin said.

A member of the SWAT team, Cooley went to Larkin's aid. Cooley later went to Iraq as a Marine Corps reservist and sustained a brain injury after being hit by shrapnel from a roadside bomb in 2005. Larkin and Cooley were among the roughly 25 SWAT team members recognized for their service.

Amid a standing ovation, Cooley held the award in his hands and kissed it.

Geoff Fox

Boats Set Sail With Lights On

TOWN 'N COUNTRY - Boat owners wanting to get into the holiday spirit should motor over to the Bay Crest Park neighborhood on Saturday.

Starting about 7 p.m., the neighborhood will hold its ninth annual holiday boat parade.

Cleverly lit and decorated watercraft will depart from the end of Bay Pointe Drive and will cruise through the neighborhood's waterways, ending at Tahiti Lane.

A good viewing spot is the small park at the end of Bay Crest Drive.

For information or to enter boats, call John Housand, (813) 290-0626.

Russell Holecek
Seminar Offers Tips On Stress, Grief

TEMPLE TERRACE - Is the holiday season causing stress and bringing sadness?

Hear how to find comfort when Grace Terry, a licensed social worker and family services counselor, presents a free workshop and discussion, Peace on Earth: Managing Holiday Stress & Grief.

It will be offered from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and repeated from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Thursday .

Both presentations are at Blount & Curry Funeral Home, Terrace Oaks Chapel, 12690 N. 56th St. Reservations are requested. Call (813) 988-9200.

Lenora Lake

Pasco Libraries Get E-Government Grant

HUDSON - The Pasco County Library System is the only library in the state to win an E-Government grant.

With the money, the library will help residents fill out official forms online, including income tax returns, food stamp applications, Medicaid and unemployment compensation claims.

For each branch, the libraries will buy laptops that will be exclusively devoted to handling E-Government forms. People may make an appointment with Nancy Fredericks, the E-Government manager, at (727) 861-3020.

The E-Government resources are at pascolibraries.org. Just click on "Favorite Links," then click on E-government links under the "Government" section.

A staff report

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT