Tampa Police Benevolent Association asks for community’s continued support on Giving Tuesday

The Tampa Police Benevolent Association (PBA), a nonprofit organization that supports Tampa Police officers and their families, is asking for the community’s continued support on Giving Tuesday after what has been a challenging year for Floridians residing on the gulf coast.

“We are so thankful for the support we have received for our brave officers and their families through what has been a turbulent year on Florida’s gulf coast,” said Tampa PBA President Brandon Barclay. “The generosity of this community, which has contributed more than $35,000 to help our officers get back on their feet after the storms, has left us in awe of how much our officers are respected among the people they serve every day.”

But, Barclay says, after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, 20 officers either lost their homes or suffered significant damage that led to their displacement. Some of those officers remain displaced to this day.

“These dedicated officers continue to show up to work each day to fight crime and keep the residents of Tampa safe, despite the challenging circumstances in their private lives,” said Barclay. “During this holiday season, they still need the generous support from the people of Tampa and from friends of police everywhere. We know there are many causes to choose from on Giving Tuesday, but we ask that if you are participating in Giving Tuesday this year, you keep in mind the Tampa PBA and the Tampa Police officers who are working round the clock for the betterment of our city.”

This year, outside of hurricane relief and through the generosity of others, Tampa PBA has been able to help officers when they have faced other unexpected tribulations.

During the summer, Officer Keith Padellaro was faced with an unexpected and near tragic event when his retired K-9 partner, Xavier, whom Padellaro adopted when Xavier’s police service was finished, suddenly became ill with what is commonly known as bloat. That condition is 100 percent fatal if not treated immediately.

Padellaro did not hesitate. He immediately took Xavier to The Veterinary Emergency Group of Tampa, where Xavier’s life was saved.

However, he racked up nearly $10,000 in medical bills from Xavier’s life-saving treatment, an enormous burden that the Tampa PBA helped relieve through a media campaign to alert the public about a GoFundMe started by Padellaro and his wife to offset the veterinary bills. Within days, Padellaro’s GoFundMe goal was met, and Xavier’s treatment was paid for, all thanks to the generosity of the community and with the help of the Tampa PBA.

The Tampa PBA also continuously supports the families of fallen officers, as the organization did in June when the Tampa Police K-9 Unit attended the high school graduation ceremony of Adam Roberts, whose father Cpl. Michael Roberts, a K-9 officer himself, was killed in the line of duty 15 years ago.