Drives Begin to Help Slain Officer's Family

When Officer Charles Kondek responded to a noise complaint Sunday morning, it would be his last call.

The 45-year-old Tarpon Springs Police officer and North Massapequa, N.Y., native was shot and run over by a car before dying from his wounds at Florida Hospital North Pinellas.

Marco Antonio Parilla Jr., 23, now faces first-degree murder charges in the death of the veteran law enforcement officer who served about five years with the New York City Police Department before reporting for duty in Tarpon Springs more than 17 years ago.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office worked with Tarpon Springs in investigating the case. Detectives say Parilla has a lengthy criminal history. He’s accused of opening fire on the officer as he stood outside his cruiser and then running him over with a car while he attempted to make an escape from the scene.

See Also:

• Slain Officer Was Father of 6
• Scammers Trying to Cash In On Officer’s Death

Kondek, 45, leaves behind a wife, Teresa, and six children: Aleena, Brandon, Andrew, Charlie Jr., Holly and Tiffany, according to the sheriff’s office.

As his family struggles to pick up the pieces, the City of Tarpon Springs has announced the start of several fundraising efforts to benefit the Kondeks. The Officer Charles Kondek Memorial Fund has been established at Wells Fargo Bank courtesy of the Suncoast Police Benevolent Association, according to the city manager’s office. Donations payable to that fund are being accepted at any branch, the city noted.

Donations of cash, gift cards and checks are also being accepted at the police department’s headquarters, 444 S. Huey Ave., Tarpon Springs, FL 34689. Checks and other donations can also be sent to the Suncoast PBA, 14141 46th St. N., Suite 1205, Clearwater, FL 33762. All checks mailed in or dropped off should be made payable to the Sun Coast Law Enforcement Charities or SCLEC with “Charles Kondek” written in the memo line.

Condolences and prayers have been pouring in since news of the officer’s death broke Sunday morning.

“Rest in peace Officer Kondek,” wrote Larry Mayer on the Tarpon Springs Patch Facebook page.

“So sad that this father of 6 was killed for absolutely no reason,” echoed Lori Lee Moiser. “My prayers for the family.”

The Kondeks are Pasco County residents, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Teresa Kondek works for the Pasco County Clerk of Courts.

“A salute to Tarpon Springs Police Officer Charlie Kondek, the nicest and most giving person you will ever meet,” Pasco Clerk Paula O’Neil wrote on her Facebook page. “Please pray for his family and fellow officers. Let’s commit to figuring out how we can stop this horrible violence against law enforcement.”

Information about services for Kondek is not yet available.

Stay with Patch for updates as they are announced.

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