John Kotfila Jr. - Deputy Sheriff Fatality - Florida

John Kotfila Jr.

Deputy Sheriff John Kotfila Jr., age 30, died in the line of duty on March 12, 2016, at a hospital in Tampa, Florida.

Deputy Sheriff Kotfila was a member of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. He had 6 years of service.

Hillsborough County has a population of one and a quarter million. The county seat is Tampa.

Before 3:00 a.m., John had responded to a motor vehicle accident on a highway near Brandon which is a suburb of Tampa. He was returning to the station when he was hit head-on at high speed by a vehicle being driven in the wrong direction on the expressway.

John was rushed to a nearby hospital where, tragically, he passed away from his injuries.

Erik McBeth, age 31, of Hudson, Florida, who was driving the wrong way has also died.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

John grew up in Falmouth, Massachusetts and attended Westfield State University in Westfield, Massachusetts. He graduated with a degree in criminal justice.  

John's father, John Kotfila Sr., is a member of the Massachusetts State Police. John's brother, Michael, is a police officer in Massachusetts. 

Michael, Patron Saint of the
Police, pray for John and
for those who have lost him.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is in mourning over the death of their brother. John was a professional who was proud to be a Deputy Sheriff. He will be forever remembered.

John's loved ones are devastated over his sudden and tragic death. He was a kind-hearted man who would do anything for anybody. He did his best. He will be forever mourned.

John is survived by many loving comrades, friends and family members including his parents, and brother and sister. 

Thank you for your service to the community, John.

Pray for all who die in the line of duty.

Pray for all who die by misadventure. They are with us one moment and are gone before we can say goodbye.

Pray that John is in Heaven. Pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.