Tampa Police Department, Florida
End of Watch: Friday, December 30, 1988
Age: 26
Tour of Duty: 1 year, 6 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 30, 1988
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Committed suicide in prison
Officer Porfirio Soto was shot and killed as he and another officer served an arrest warrant at 3710 E. Idlewild Avenue.
The subject was wanted in a neighboring jurisdiction for armed robbery, aggravated battery, and carrying a concealed firearm. A struggle ensued inside of the suspect's home in which Officer Soto was shot in an area not protected by his vest.
The man fled the home after shooting Officer Sorto but was arrested a short time later. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He hanged himself in prison on April 13th, 1997.
Officer Soto was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Tampa Police Department for 18 months. He is survived by his wife and 10-month-old son.