Rising up for fallen heroes

Tampa police officer Aaron Vega knew fellow officer Jeff Kocab for almost five years, but it wasn't until about a year ago he discovered the two shared a common interest.

"We were both into paintball, but neither one of us knew the other played," said Vega, who is also the co-owner of Tiki's Paintball of Tampa.

The two eventually played together on the Tampa Bay Vengeance air ball team, which travels throughout the country to play in tournaments.

"Jeff loved getting out on the field, getting his adrenaline going, and he loved to win," Vega said.

Vega and some teammates were on their way back to Tampa from a Chicago event in late June when they heard that Kocab and fellow officer Dave Curtis had been killed during a June 29 traffic stop. Dontae Morris, 24, has been charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Kocab and Curtis, who were both 31.

"He was a great family man, a great Christian and a great police officer," Vega said of Kocab. "We got the call at about 3:30 or 4 in the morning.

"The second I was able to compose myself, I knew I had to do something for both of them."

Vega teamed up with Don Thompson, co-founder of the Warriors for Christ Paintball Ministry, to organize the WFC Paintball Game for Fallen Heroes, which took place July 31 at FishHawk Fellowship Church between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

"We just want to have a good time today and honor a couple of great guys," Thompson said during a safety briefing at the start of the event.

Proceeds from the event will be split between the two families.

Almost 300 people - experienced players and novices - signed up to play.

"We have these big paintball games every three months, and we've raised about $20,000 for charity these last two years - I think we're going to do half of that today," Thompson said the day of the benefit.

The event, which also featured a chance drawing and lunch tickets for those in attendance, raised $13,006.35.

Julie Torgerson, the volunteer in charge of registration, said the turnout was among the highest for a WFC Paintball game.

"We have a regular game twice a month, and we have a bigger game about once every three months," Torgerson said. "This is probably the biggest crowd we've had for one of our big games."

Vega was proud to see the outpouring of support from the community.

"Today has been fantastic in numerous aspects," Vega said. "From all the vendors who've come here today and lent a hand, to people who didn't even know them (officers Kocab and Curtis) but still wanted to show their support."