A former police officer who had been an FBI agent for less than two years was fatally shot Wednesday as he served a warrant at the home of an alleged cocaine dealer. ...more

November 19, 2008

The prosecutor and the victim's family want a judge to reduce the sentence of a man who participated in the slaying of a Haines City police officer nearly 11 years ago. But Christopher Gamble told the judge he deserves to spend the rest of his life behind bars for what he did. ...more

November 15, 2008

Nearly 11 years ago, a few minutes before sunrise on a March morning in a Haines City cemetery, Christopher Gamble and four friends took part in the slaying of a Haines City police officer. Gamble pleaded guilty for his role and testified against the others. Now a federal prosecutor wants a judge to reduce Gamble's sentence to 24 years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge James S. Moody Jr. is scheduled to consider a motion Friday from Assistant U.S. Attorney James Muench. ...more

November 11, 2008

Area motorcyclists are invited to rev up some support for fallen law enforcement officers. ...more

September 5, 2008

FORT WALTON BEACH - An Okaloosa County sheriff's deputy was shot and killed Tuesday by a man who had barricaded himself inside a home after a violent clash with police hours earlier, officials said. The suspected gunman was also killed. ...more

July 22, 2008

With NFL training camps opening up, the signing season is drawing to a close. Not familiar with it? That's the five-month period beginning in early March in which most players are signed to new contracts. As usual, the end will be characterized by a flurry of signings as rookies look to get their deals done in time for the start of camp workouts. With that in mind, we're going to take you inside the standard NFL contract. Just about everything you'd want to know - from how and when players are paid to the impact of an injury and a team's ability to restrict a player's outside activities - is covered. ...more

July 21, 2008

On June 7 I worked in the yard, went out to dinner and watched the Rays win again. I completely avoided any TV and Internet news. ...more

June 14, 2008

DOWNTOWN - The 6.3-acre Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park, next the Tampa Marriott Waterside along Garrison Channel, could receive funding for its final phase. The city council will be asked Thursday to approve more than $2.8 million for the project, parks and recreation director Karen Palus said. The work includes adding 600 linear feet to the city's Riverwalk, and creating a Heroes Plaza to honor firefighters, law enforcement officers, rescue workers and military personnel killed in the line of duty. ...more

May 12, 2008

Standing on the stage set up outside Tampa police headquarters for the department's annual memorial ceremony, Mayor Pam Iorio recalled how she had to leave last year's service to visit John Armao, an officer shot while serving an arrest warrant. ...more

May 10, 2008

TAMPA - Standing on the portable stage set up outside Tampa police headquarters for the department's annual memorial ceremony, Mayor Pam Iorio recalled how at last year's service she had to leave to visit John Armao, an officer shot while serving an arrest warrant. Armao survived, but his injuries will prevent him from returning to duty. The annual service, she said, is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by the men and women of law enforcement. ...more

May 9, 2008