Here is an update from TBO.com'The Whole City Is Grieving'
By ELLEN GEDALIUS
[email protected]Published: Feb 28, 2006
TAMPA - Mayor Pam Iorio sobbed during a news conference Monday about the death of her security officer, driver and friend, Detective Juan Serrano.
"I wish that Saturday could be played over, all over again," Iorio said. "I wonder why such a bad thing could happen to such a good person."
Serrano, 49, was killed Saturday when his city-issued car was struck by a man who ran a red light at Interstate 75 and Gibsonton Road about 12:45 p.m., police said. Serrano, a 17-year Tampa police veteran, died at Tampa General Hospital.
Serrano had just dropped off Iorio at her south Tampa home. They had spent the morning together at the Gasparilla Distance Classic.
"I went into the house; Liana went to the coffee shop, and Juan, he went to heaven," Iorio said.
Liana Lopez is Iorio's spokeswoman.
Iorio paused several times as she made her comments, wiping her eyes and overcome with emotion.
Serrano's death was determined to be in the line of duty, making him the first Tampa Police Department officer to die on duty since Lois Marrero was fatally shot in 2001.
The decision means that his wife will receive 50 percent of his pension, plus medical benefits. His wife and children are eligible for college tuition scholarships and other benefits, including funeral expenses.
Chief Stephen Hogue wore a black band across his badge, a sign of mourning.
"Essentially, the whole city is grieving today," Hogue said.
Serrano was devoted to the mayor. No matter how early or late Iorio attended an event, Serrano was there to protect her and drive her to the next destination.
He scheduled his vacation time to coincide with Iorio's so he always would be available.
"We'd get in the car, and I'd say, 'What kind of adventures will we have this week?'" Iorio said. "Because that's how I viewed it, ... a series of adventures we would have together."
Serrano had worked with Iorio since she took office in April 2003. He also drove, at least occasionally, for former Mayors Dick Greco and Sandy Freedman.
"He was such a quiet, sweet guy, just the nicest man," Greco said.
"I never heard him raise his voice," Freedman said. "You knew he was in charge, but he was never a real macho, I'm the cop, kind of guy."
The practice of having regular drivers and security for mayors began with Freedman's administration, though previous mayors used drivers occasionally, said Bob Seth, the police department's security coordinator. The department had received threats against Freedman, in part because she was Tampa's first female Jewish mayor, Seth said. Greco used drivers only occasionally.
Different cities handle protection differently. St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker doesn't have a driver or bodyguard, but the mayor of Orlando has a lieutenant assigned to him.
The practice is unlikely to change in Tampa. Another officer has been assigned to Iorio for the time being.
"There are so many unstable people in the world, and she is a very high-profile individual," Hogue said. "I insist she has someone with her."
As for the man accused of hitting Serrano, Judge Walter Heinrich on Monday ordered Jose Luis Espinosa held without bail. Espinosa faces charges of driving without a license and leaving the scene of an accident involving death. Prosecutors asked Heinrich to withhold bail, saying he is a flight risk and pointing out that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has a hold on him.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, which is handling the investigation, wants the public's help finding witnesses to the crash. Detectives want to talk to a man who was driving a Ford Tempo and videotaped some of the crash scene, as well as a man who was wearing a yellow shirt who was parked near the detective's vehicle. Call (813) 247-0254 with information.
PUBLIC SERVICE
A public funeral service is planned for Thursday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 509 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. A time for the service had not been set Monday. Check TBO.com for arrangements.