TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Police Department honored one of its own at a memorial service on Friday.

  • Officer Porfirio Soto Jr. killed in line of duty in December 1988
  • He had 9-month-old son at time of slaying
  • Killer sentenced to 25 years, took his life while in custody

Officer Porfirio Soto Jr. was killed in the line of duty on December 30, 1988 while pursuing a shooting suspect.

He was 25 years old at the time and had a wife and 9-month-old son.

Alejandro Soto carries a picture of his father with him wherever he goes. Even though he doesn't have memories of his dad, who also served in the Marines, he considers him a hero.

"I never really had a chance to meet him. I was only 9 months old, so it's just nice to be here and hear the stories," Soto said.

Soto's wife, Carmen Soto-Martinez, remembers the tragic moment like it was yesterday.

"They said that a police officer had been shot, and so when I heard that I was freaking out and panicked," Soto-Martinez said.

"It's one of those things that you never, forget, you never will forget. You have memories all the time," she said.

Thirty years later, the Tampa Police Department is showing the family that it will never forget. Chief Brian Dugan said the memorial service also serves as a stern reminder to law enforcement.

"We're vulnerable out there, we have to be careful. It's a very dangerous, very tough job," Chief Dugan said.

It's dangerous job filled with many risks that officers are willing to take. When they lose one of their own, loved ones said they know they'll always have support.

"It's nice to know that family never forgets and that's not only blood family but the family he used to work with as well," Alejandro Soto said.

Officer Soto's killer was sentenced to 25 years in prison but took his own life in 1997 while in custody.