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Charity hockey event to benefit fallen Tampa policeman

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By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: October 24, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - In remembrance of a fellow man of service, a charity inline hockey event will be hosted on Nov. 14 and 15 at New Port Richey's Sportszone 2.

The tournament is in honor of Cpl. Mike Roberts, a Tampa Police Department officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty on Wednesday, Aug. 9, while investigating a suspicious person.

Roberts, 38, was an 11-year veteran of the force and left behind a wife and 3-year-old son. All proceeds generated by the inline hockey event will go to the Roberts' family.

Ken Petrillo, a former Pasco sheriff's deputy now with the Tampa Police Department, is part of the organizing team working to honor his fallen comrade. In addition to working together on duty, Petrillo said Roberts was known by many other officers as the goalie on the Police Department's hockey team.

Holding a tournament to honor his service would be fitting, Petrillo said.

In late August, the Tampa Bay Lightning also held a charity scrimmage against the Tampa Police team that benefited the Cpl. Mike Roberts Memorial Fund. The game was part of the NHL club's annual Fan Fest event.

"Mike was the kind of cop that every one of us wanted to be," Petrillo said. "He was able to balance his personal and family life with the job and he was successful at it all."

As for the November tournament, play will be broken into three divisions - Law Enforcement/Firefighters, 16 and older competitive and 16 and older recreational.

Registration fees are $300 per team and at least six to eight players are recommended per team, Petrillo said. Signups are tentatively to be capped off by Nov. 1.

Individuals who would like to play but do not have a team are encouraged to call Sportzone 2 at 727-845-7808 to request a place on a squad.

Teams are going to be traveling to New Port Richey for the event from all over the state, Petrillo said. Fort Lauderdale and Collier, Sarasota and Manatee counties will all be represented, among others. He said the initial goal was to round up about 30 teams and spots are still available.

For more information on how to register or to donate money to Cpl. Roberts' family, contact Ken Petrillo at 727-808-8453 or Rob Gallahan at Sportszone 2 at 727-845-7808.

Sportszone 2 is in the International Granite and Stone Arena, 7716 Rutilio Court, New Port Richey. It is a 21,000-square-foot, air-conditioned indoor sports arena.

Eric Horchy can be reached at 727-815-1071 or ehorchy@suncoastnews.com.

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