Slain officer had a gift for compassion and humor

Tampa Police Department
Tampa police Cpl. Mike Roberts.

Slain officer had a gift for compassion and humor
By Rebecca Catalanello, Kim Wilmath and Jamal Thalji, Times Staff Writers
Posted: Aug 20, 2009 01:20 PM


TAMPA — In 11 years with the Tampa Police Department, Cpl. Mike Roberts demonstrated a gift for reassuring victims and their families while catching criminals and making policing fun for those who worked beside him.

When he died Wednesday night during a confrontation with a heavily armed man pushing a grocery cart, Roberts, 38, left behind a wife, a 3-year-old son, and a legacy of good policing, according to records and anecdotes from people who knew him.

"He was one of the best police officers," Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio said when she first addressed news cameras following the 10 p.m. slaying. "He was the best, and that's what we lost tonight."

Besides police work, Roberts served with the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army. Originally from Canada, Roberts also holds a degree in business administration from the Memorial University of New Foundland, according to records.

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Slain officer had a gift for compassion and humor