BELLEAIR, Fla.-- The Town of Belleair held a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday for a new park that will honor the life of a fallen officer.

  • New park honoring fallen officer
  • Officer, Jeffery Tackett, killed on line of duty 25 years ago
  • Design plans for park near Belleair Town Hall 

The ceremony marks the 25 year anniversary of the death of Belleair police officer Jeffery W. Tackett. He was shot and killed while attempting to handcuff a prowler suspect. Tackett was 28 years old and had served with the agency for five years. 

Officer Tackett's widow and mother attended the ceremony to remember his life. Tackett's wife says she is overwhelmed by the amount of community support and she is grateful to see him still being remembered after all these years.

"I think it's wonderful he's being honored in this way, like I said Jeff loved law enforcement, he knew a lot of people and it's just nice, it fills my heart to know he will be remembered always," said widow, Alice Tackett Dalena. 

Over the next several months, the Parks and Recreation Department will be working on design plans for the park named in his honor that will be located near Belleair Town Hall.