TAMPA, Fla. — After a retired Police Department K-9 suffered a near-fatal emergency, his handler and partner on the force, who currently serves, rushed to save his life.
Officer Keith Padellaro adopted his K-9 partner named Xavier, a male German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois mix, after Xavier’s retirement in 2022. Xavier served as a dual-purpose patrol and bomb detection dog until his retirement. Padellaro says Xavier served with honor and was responsible for numerous heroic accomplishments during his career.
But on June 20, Xavier, now age 9, suffered a horrible emergency and was rushed The Veterinary Emergency Group of Tampa.
Xavier had developed a critical condition called Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus, or more commonly referred to as bloat. During the emergency Xavier’s stomach had flipped over inside his abdominal cavity, cutting off circulation throughout the body and preventing blood from returning to the heart. Without immediate treatment, the condition is 100 percent fatal.
Acting fast to save his partner and friend of nearly a decade, Padellaro rushed Xavier in for emergency surgery. After Xavier was treated for bloat, and after his spleen was removed, he remained in critical condition for two days , but is now on the road to a full recovery.
“I am continually amazed by the care and empathy our officers extend to members of the community each day,” said Brandon Barclay, President of the Tampa Police Benevolent Association. “Every day on the job, their first instinct is to help. I’m not surprised at all to see the lengths Officer Padellaro went to in order to save Xavier’s life.”
However, Barclay said, Officer Padellaro racked up extensive bills for Xavier’s life-saving surgery, and Barclay is asking for members of the community to help the officer out.
Xavier’s surgery cost $9,300, which Officer Padellaro paid for out of his own pocket.
“If anyone is interested in donating to help Officer Padellaro with the costs of Xavier’s care, they can donate by giving to the Tampa Police Benevolent Association at tampapba.org or by visiting the GoFundMe page, which was created to help offset the costs of Xavier’s surgery.
About: The Tampa Police Benevolent Association:
The mission of the Tampa Police Benevolent Association is to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and of the State of Florida; to promote social, charitable, and educational activities; to ensure fidelity to duty under all conditions; to instill a spirit of benevolence, good will, integrity, and mutual respect among our members and the people we serve; to provide for the wellbeing of our members and their families; to promote and sustain fair and equitable treatment of its members; to provide assistance, protection, and support to members who have been treated unfairly; to prevent unfair labor practices; and to maintain the best possible working conditions and benefits for all members of the organization through the collective bargaining process.
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.
Donations needed after Hurricane Helene displaces 11 Tampa Police officers, their families
***Donations can be made using the following link: https://secure.anedot.com/tampa-police-benevolent-association/hurricane-helene-relief ***
TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Police Benevolent association is asking for help from the community after 11 Tampa Police officers and their families were forced out of their homes due to flooding from Hurricane Helene, which ravaged the coast of Florida on Thursday night.
According to Brandon Barclay, president of the Tampa PBA, the homes of 11 officers were destroyed, and though they might not require demolition, they will need to be completely gutted, dried down to the studs, and rebuilt before the officers and their families can move back in.
Complicating matters, Barclay said that most of the officers have children, and that some of the families are being told by insurance companies that it will be months before anything can be done.
Barclay said that most of the impacted officers were on duty and braving the storm while their homes were destroyed.
“Our officers dedicate themselves every day to serving the community, and most of them were out during the worst of the hurricane doing just that,” said Barclay. “They came home from protecting Tampa residents to find their own homes destroyed. Now we’re asking the community to step up in this crucial time and help our officers whose lives have been drastically impacted by Hurricane Helene.”
The impacted officers will continue to keep Tampa’s streets safe, even while enduring these great personal losses.
“No matter their personal circumstances, we know that our officers will continue to show up to work so the residents of Tampa can remain safe,” said Barclay. “We truly have one of the finest and most dedicated police forces in America right here in Tampa. While they continue to protect us every day, we’re hoping that friends of the police in Tampa and beyond will help alleviate some of their struggles.”
All of the money raised will go directly to the impacted officers. Tampa PBA is also working with Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw to secure additional private donor funding for the officers and their families.
Those who wish to contribute can click here.
The Tampa Police Benevolent Association:
The mission of the Tampa Police Benevolent Association is to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and of the State of Florida; to promote social, charitable, and educational activities; to ensure fidelity to duty under all conditions; to instill a spirit of benevolence, good will, integrity, and mutual respect among our members and the people we serve; to provide for the wellbeing of our members and their families; to promote and sustain fair and equitable treatment of its members; to provide assistance, protection, and support to members who have been treated unfairly; to prevent unfair labor practices; and to maintain the best possible working conditions and benefits for all members of the organization through the collective bargaining process.
Tampa Police Benevolent Association’s 15th Annual Heroes’ Memorial Golf Tournament scheduled for Sept. 30
TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Police Benevolent Association’s 15th Annual Heroes’ Memorial Golf Tournament is scheduled to be held on Sept. 30.
The tournament is set to begin at 8:30 a.m. and will be held at Hunter’s Green Country Club in Tampa.
The proceeds from the event, which honors Tampa Police officers killed in the line of duty, go directly to the Tampa Police Benevolent Association Charity Fund, which supports officers and their families in times of need.
“We are gearing up for another great golf tournament this year, which is always a favorite among the Tampa PBA community,” said Brandon Barclay, president of the Tampa PBA. “Not only do we get to dedicate a fun fall day in the Florida sunshine to honor our fallen heroes, but the contributions from this event allow us to continue to support members of the Tampa PBA community, especially current officers and their families.”
Several leaders in the Tampa community will attend the lunch after the golf tournament, including:
Spouses of fallen officers will also be present at the event.
There are several tiers of sponsorship for an event: Captain Sponsors, Driving Range Sponsors, Lieutenant Sponsors, Hole Sponsors and Food and Beverage sponsors.
Captain Sponsors:
Driving Range Sponsors:
Lieutenant Sponsors:
Hole Sponsors:
Food & Beverage Sponsors:
Sponsorship opportunities are still available at all levels. Anyone who wishes to become a sponsor should contact Tampa PBA’s Secretary and Treasurer Kristina Duran or click here.
There are still slots available for golfers, too. While 24 teams of four golfers each, 96 players total, are already registered, registration is still open for eight more teams of four, or 32 players.
In keeping with Tampa PBA tradition, the team that finishes last in the golf tournament will receive four free golf lessons.
Please contact Duran or click here to register as a player.
The golf tournament also features a raffle.
Tampa PBA will be raffling off four firearms, including two Sig Sauer handguns and two rifles. In addition, there will be a silent auction featuring several other large prizes.
Tampa PD Officer saves Retired K-9 partner from near-fatal emergency after retirement
TAMPA, Fla. — After a retired Police Department K-9 suffered a near-fatal emergency, his handler and partner on the force, who currently serves, rushed to save his life.
Officer Keith Padellaro adopted his K-9 partner named Xavier, a male German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois mix, after Xavier’s retirement in 2022. Xavier served as a dual-purpose patrol and bomb detection dog until his retirement. Padellaro says Xavier served with honor and was responsible for numerous heroic accomplishments during his career.
But on June 20, Xavier, now age 9, suffered a horrible emergency and was rushed The Veterinary Emergency Group of Tampa.
Acting fast to save his partner and friend of nearly a decade, Padellaro rushed Xavier in for emergency surgery. After Xavier was treated for bloat, and after his spleen was removed, he remained in critical condition for two days , but is now on the road to a full recovery.
“I am continually amazed by the care and empathy our officers extend to members of the community each day,” said Brandon Barclay, President of the Tampa Police Benevolent Association. “Every day on the job, their first instinct is to help. I’m not surprised at all to see the lengths Officer Padellaro went to in order to save Xavier’s life.”
However, Barclay said, Officer Padellaro racked up extensive bills for Xavier’s life-saving surgery, and Barclay is asking for members of the community to help the officer out.
Xavier’s surgery cost $9,300, which Officer Padellaro paid for out of his own pocket.
“If anyone is interested in donating to help Officer Padellaro with the costs of Xavier’s care, they can donate by giving to the Tampa Police Benevolent Association at tampapba.org or by visiting the GoFundMe page, which was created to help offset the costs of Xavier’s surgery.
About: The Tampa Police Benevolent Association:
The mission of the Tampa Police Benevolent Association is to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and of the State of Florida; to promote social, charitable, and educational activities; to ensure fidelity to duty under all conditions; to instill a spirit of benevolence, good will, integrity, and mutual respect among our members and the people we serve; to provide for the wellbeing of our members and their families; to promote and sustain fair and equitable treatment of its members; to provide assistance, protection, and support to members who have been treated unfairly; to prevent unfair labor practices; and to maintain the best possible working conditions and benefits for all members of the organization through the collective bargaining process.
15 years later, Tampa Police K-9 Unit attends high school graduation for son of fallen officer
TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Police Department’s K-9 Unit attended the graduation ceremony for the son of Cpl. Michael Roberts, a former member of the K-9 Unit who was killed in the line of duty fifteen years ago, in 2009.
Adam Roberts graduated from high school on May 18, surrounded by his family, friends and supportive members of the Tampa Police Department’s K-9 Unit.
“We are so proud of what Adam has achieved after losing his father at such a young age,” said Brandon Barclay, the president of the Tampa Police Benevolent Association. “It’s not just our brave officers who are part of the PBA community, but their family members as well. We were thrilled to be on hand to celebrate Adam’s high school graduation, and we know he’ll go on to do great things.”
Adam is currently deciding which university he will attend.
When Adam was just three years old, his father was shot and killed while investigating a suspicious person.
Upon questioning the suspect, the suspect produced a pistol and began striking Roberts before shooting him once in the chest. The bullet struck an area of Roberts’ chest that was not covered by his bulletproof vest, and he later passed away from his wounds.
The suspect, later identified as former U.S. Virgin Islands police officer Humberto Delgado, then produced an AR-15 and fired it at another officer who was with Roberts at the time. Delgado fled the scene, but was later captured by authorities.
Delgado was convicted of first-degree murder and received a death sentence, which was later reduced to life in prison.
To donate to the Tampa PBA to support causes like this, please click here.
For media-related inquiries, please contact our PR firm in Tampa at 813.279.8335 or email [email protected].
Welcome
The mission of the Tampa Police Benevolent Association is to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and of the State of Florida; to promote social, charitable, and educational activities; to ensure fidelity to duty under all conditions; to instill a spirit of benevolence, goodwill, integrity, and mutual respect among our members and the people we serve; to provide for the wellbeing of our members and their families; to promote and sustain fair and equitable treatment of its members; to provide assistance, protection, and support to members who have been treated unfairly; to prevent unfair labor practices; and to maintain the best possible working conditions and benefits for all members of the organization through the collective bargaining process