'He Was My Hero Before Any of Yours,' Says Daughter of Slain Officer

Tampa Bay area residents and members of law enforcement turned out in force to pay final respects to slain Tarpon Springs Police Officer Charles “Charlie” Kondek Saturday.

Services for Kondek were held at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, followed by a processional through several counties on the way to Grace Memorial Cemetery in Hudson. The morning services at Idlewild opened with a solo bagpipe performance, followed by a number of speakers.

Kondek, a father of six, was shot and then run over by a car during a routine noise complaint call Dec. 21. He succumbed to his injuries later that morning.

His accused killer, Marco Antonio Parilla Jr., 23, now faces first-degree murder charges in the death of the veteran law enforcement officer who served about five years with the New York City Police Department before reporting for duty in Tarpon Springs more than 17 years ago.

Kondek, 45, leaves behind a wife, Teresa, and six children: Aleena, Brandon, Andrew, Charlie Jr., Holly and Tiffany, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.

Several of Kondek’s children joined other speakers during Saturday’s services. His daughter, Aleena, shed light on the man behind the uniform.

“My dad was a phenomenal father, husband and, of course, police officer,” Bay News 9 quoted her as saying during the morning service. “My dad died as a hero, but he was my hero before any of yours.”

Photos from the Clearwater Fire Rescue and Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Facebook and Twitter pages

Did you attend the services or line the processional? Share your thoughts on the day and your photos by commenting below.

See Also:

• Route Announced for Slain Officer’s Funeral Procession
• Slain Officer’s Services Set
• Man Who Shot Officer’s Accused Shooter Also Arrested
• Weapon Used in Officer’s Shooting Was Stolen, Cops Say
• Scammers Trying to Cash In On Officer’s Death
• Drives Begin to Help Slain Officer’s Family