Police gather to honor their fallen comrades

David Abella, a Hillsborough deputy, was one of 13 Florida law enforcement officers who died on duty last year.

By STEVE BOUSQUET
Published May 10, 2005

TALLAHASSEE - Police from across Florida converged on the state capital Monday to remember a Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy and 12 other law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty last year.

David Abella, a 26-year-old deputy, died in April 2004 when his patrol car struck a curb and hit two utility poles as he was responding to a call. The rookie was a husband and father of three, a graduate of Plant City High School and the first Hillsborough deputy to die in the line of duty in 17 years.

The solemn, hourlong ceremony on the steps of the Old Capitol followed a parade through downtown Tallahassee. The 23rd annual law enforcement officer memorial service was organized by the state lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police.

"I'm comforted that Floridians are more secure thanks to all of you who work on the front lines every day, serving as our first response and our last defense," Gov. Jeb Bush told the crowd. "You risk your lives so that Florida's a safer place for the rest of us to live. That safety often comes at an extremely high price, paid by the sacrifice of our law enforcement officers."

After the name of each fallen officer and the date of death were announced, hundreds of police officers stood at attention for the playing of taps.

Also remembered Monday was Phillip Lebid, 30, of Tampa, a U.S. Secret Service agent based in Tampa. He died last November when a Brandon man with a history of speeding citations ran a red light and struck his unmarked car.

Lebid had been a Secret Service agent for 10 months and was the youngest officer assigned to the 15-member Tampa office.

Bush told reporters he plans to sign several law enforcement-related measures into law soon, including the Deputy James M. Weaver Act, which increases death benefits for the families of officers killed in the line of duty.

Weaver was an Orange County sheriff's deputy who was struck and killed while directing traffic at the scene of an accident in 2003.

[Last modified May 10, 2005, 01:01:05]