Charles Roger Kondek Jr., a 45-year-old white police officer, was killed on December 21, 2014, in Tarpon Springs, Florida. He was responding to a noise complaint at an apartment complex on Grand Boulevard around 2:00 AM when he encountered a man who had been knocking on apartment doors. Officer Kondek was shot by that suspect and then struck by the suspect’s vehicle as the suspect fled; Officer Kondek died shortly after the incident.

The suspect was described as a convicted felon who had recently been released on parole, was armed with a stolen gun, and had an active warrant for violating parole. He crashed into a utility pole and a parked car a short distance away and was arrested. The suspect later pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and received life in prison without the possibility of parole. Reports say the suspect had gone to the location intending to shoot someone he believed had ratted him out.

Officer Kondek had served 17 years with the Tarpon Springs Police Department after five years with the New York City Police Department. He is survived by his wife, Teresa, and their six children. Does anyone have memories of Officer Kondek or information about that night that could help clarify what happened?