Officer James Ronco died in the line of duty while protecting Ybor City citizens. The year was 1916, and Ybor was the rough-and-tumble cigar capital of the world.

A century later, Tampa Police Chief Eric Ward and the department's honor guard celebrated Ronco's service and shared his story.

  • Officer James Ronco, 34, died on May 27, 1916
  • He was shot while trying to apprehend Nettie Thompson who had reportedly escaped from jail
  • Tampa PD honor all fallen officers every 10 years

“The memorial ceremonies are important reminders that the Tampa Police and the community appreciate and will always remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice,’’ said Chief Ward. “In this case, after 100 years, Officer Ronco is not forgotten.”

Reports say that Ronco, who was off-duty at the time, took a female defendant, Nettie Thompson, into custody after the suspect had reportedly escaped from jail.

Thompson was apprehended at 7th Ave. and 13th Street – the heart of today’s historic district.

According to some reports, Thompson, an African American female, was wiry and suspected to be under the influence of both heroin and cocaine.

A 1998 book by William Wilbanks entitled "Forgotten Heroes: Police Officers Killed in Early Florida 1840 – 1925," paints a different picture of Thompson, though. Wilbanks writes that one account has Thompson on her deathbed claiming she never used narcotics, but had been drinking.

Either way, Thompson resisted arrest and a tussle ensued.

Somewhere in the fighting Thompson grabbed Ronco's firearm, shooting him during their struggle. Ronco was able to regain his weapon, though. Police say he fired the weapon three times, striking Thompson with each round. Both were taken to local hospitals where they later died. Before their passing, Wilbank writes that mobs had started gathering in the streets.

Ronco was 34 years old and the son of Italian immigrants. He was married to Myrtle Sawyer. The couple had one child, James Earl, who died six weeks before his father in a household accident, according to Wilbanks' book.

Not much is known of Thompson’s circumstances.

Under Chief Ward, the Tampa Police Department will be honoring all of their fallen officers every 10 years. The decision to do so was made by the department’s memorial committee earlier this year. Ronco's story is the first of many to be shared.