New York police squad invited to Gasparilla spree

TAMPA -- About the only thing New York City police Sgt. Joseph Noschese knows about Gasparilla is that it's "some sort of parade."

In fact, he had never even heard of it until a Tampa police officer mentioned it to him.

Today, Noschese and some members of his cold case squad from the Bronx will get to experience the annual celebration firsthand -- as honored guests.

The New York City officers will don their uniforms and join Tampa police officers on the parade route to highlight their three-day visit.

Members of the unit, who spent more than six weeks working at Ground Zero, were invited by the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association so that they could enjoy an "escape weekend," said PBA president Kevin Durkin.

The PBA paid for airplane tickets for the detectives and Noschese's wife and son, and the Yankees' George Steinbrenner picked up the tab for their lodging. They got into town Friday afternoon and will leave Sunday morning.

"We could all use the weekend," Noschese said. "You get to be a little weary after awhile."

The squad, made up of detectives, was called to the site of the attacks a day after the collapse to assist in the criminal investigation.

What began as an assignment to search for evidence quickly turned into long days scouring for human remains. They worked for almost two straight months.

The squad was selected to fly to Tampa for the minivacation because Noschese and Durkin had struck up a friendship five years ago when Tampa police detectives assisted Noschese's unit on an unsolved homicide.

And when members of the local PBA office went to New York to deliver a check for $32,000 for the PBA's widows and children's fund there, the Bronx unit acted as their hosts.

"We want to show them appreciation for their efforts and what they've been through," Durkin said.

- Dong-Phuong Nguyen can be reached at 813-226-3403 or nguyen@sptimes.com.

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