Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Kotfila was killed in a head-on collision with a vehicle that was driving in the wrong direction on the Selmon Expressway, at the Brandon Express exit near I-75, at approximately 3:00 am.
He was returning to the station after investigating an unrelated traffic accident when a drunk driver entered the expressway heading west in the eastbound lanes. The driver in front of Deputy Kotfila was flashing her headlights, trying to get the vehicle to stop or turn around. Deputy Kotifila sped up, passed her car, took the impact of the head-on collision, and saved the life of the female driver.
The drunk driver died at the scene. Deputy Kotfila was transported to Tampa General Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Deputy Kotfila had served with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office for six years. He is survived by his parents, sister, and two brothers. His father, one brother, and both of his grandfathers served in law enforcement in Massachusetts. His sister joined the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office a year after he died and in 2020 was assigned to District IV, the same district Deputy Kotfila patroled.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents, sister, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-43516F29- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Kotfila gave the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tampa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Kotfila.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff John Robert Kotfila, Jr. is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, 8 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Robert Kotfila, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How John Robert Kotfila, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Deceased
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Robert Kotfila, Jr. is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Robert Kotfila, Jr. was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
