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.

The Tampa Police Benevolent Association not only provided support to the Roberts family after Roberts’ death, but kept in contact with the family for years to come.

“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.

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