HCSO holds memorial service in honor of 16 fallen deputies

YBOR CITY (FOX 13) - Honor, respect and remember.

That was the purpose of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Law Enforcement Memorial Service Wednesday morning.

A total of 16 Hillsborough County deputies have died in the line of duty, and the memorial outside the sheriff's office headquarters in Ybor City makes sure they are never forgotten.

Wednesday's service began at 8:30 with a speech from former FOX 13 anchor John Wilson, followed by a special tribute to each of the 16 deputies that have sacrificed their lives in order to protect and serve their community.

During the memorial service, Deputy John Kotfila Jr. was memorialized with a special plate on the fallen heroes wall.

On March 12, 2016, Deputy Kotfila was hit and killed by a wrong way driver on the Selmon Expressway.

Kotfila's family, as well as the family and friends of the other 15 fallen deputies, were in attendance.