Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Dear Officer Tackett,

Thank you for your service. You paid the ultimate price in protecting citizens and it will never be forgotten.

Sincerely
Belleair resident

July 20, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Tackett. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 5, 2012

i never actually met jeff but ive been neighbors with his mother for about 15 yrs..she is without a doubt a hero to me. i visit with her every single day. she shares stories about her sons jeff n ken -though both of them are in heaven now her stories make me feel like i know him w/o ever actually meeting.

julia

October 17, 2011

Many years have passed since that fateful night. I still can remember everything that ocurred. I will never forget Jeffs sacrifice or the helpless feeling finding jeff and not being able to help him at all. Jeff was a great friend and co worker. He will always be missed by many people.

stephen w long
former belleair firefighter/emt

May 12, 2011

I went to school with Jeff and when we were kids we went to summer camp through the church that we attended. I live in the Denver Metro area now but I was living down on Indian Rocks Beach when Jeff lost his life. I remember being numb to the core when I saw the news and they mentioned who the Belleair Police Officer was who lost his life. Jeff was always real nice to me and he never looked down on me or treated me badly because of being in a poor family like other children did. He was raised in a good family by good people, "the apple surely never falls far from the tree". RIP.................Daniel

Daniel Lucero

March 12, 2011

...back again to show my respect. What a day it's been. ANOTHER office lost. You are still missed, still loved...never forgotten.
-Lisa

Lisa
Friend

February 22, 2011

Ofc. Tackett. I thought of you today when two SPPD officers were killed today in the line of duty. You sir were the last officer to die in the line of duty from a Pinellas agency. I was only 9 years old when you left us serving our community. The job you and every other officer, deputy, trooper, agent, and other public safety personnel do on a daily basis is invaluable to me personally and everyone else. Thank you for all that you did and god bless.

Public Servant

January 24, 2011

I first met jeff, and realized who he was when I began working at bpd as a dispatcher. As it happened, he was attending the same college class that my fiance (at that time)was. He was supposed to be the "suprise" best man at our wedding, until God intervened and called him home. As fate would have it, I was supposed to have been on duty, working the comm center that night, but I was led in a different direction, to serve my country. While I worked there, I always remembered things that Jeff taught me. He knew that my ultimate passion was to also be a police officer. He helped me understand things I couldnt understand, and put them in perspective in a simple way. I remember all the ride alongs I did with other officers during evening shifts, because he seemed to always be on midnites at that time. I never did get the opportunity to ride with him and learn even more. But, as I rode with the other officers, we always ended up being at the same calls, backing each other up. It seemed even when i wasnt riding along, and staying in the comm center, we always had a keen way of reading each other's minds when I dispatched him to a call, or he called in with activity. Well, now I read about the 4 officers killed in Oakland this past weekend, and I still think about Jeff. You were a great friend and mentor. I thank you for all you did for me, and all you taught me, no matter how insignificant. It was a priveledge, and is still my honor, to know you, and call you, my friend. May you forever rest in peace while we here on earth continue your work, and keep you alive in our hearts and spirit.

sgt ron fox
u.s. army

March 27, 2009

Jeff,

I still remember your smile and I think of you often. It is nice to read all these wonderful things about you. I hope you rest in peace and we will meet again someday.

All my love,
Alice

Alice Tackett-Dalena
spouse

February 19, 2009

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE.

N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE

September 5, 2008

JEFF THE MOST I REMEMBER IS YOUR EXCITEMENT OF BECOMING A POLICEOFFICER. I REMEMEBER WHEN YOU WOULD SHOW UP AT THE STATION IN YOUR ACADEMY UNIFORM READY TO RIDE. YOU WERE ALWAYS FUN TO BE WITH AND AND GREAT PERSON. I WILL NEVER FORGET EATING LUNCH AND THOSE SPECIAL BROWNIES YOU LIKED SO MUCH FROM MEMAWS. A GREAT PERSON, HUSBAND, AND A FANTASTIC AND DEDICATED POLICEOFFICER. YOUR FRIEND ALWAYS TOM.

TOM
FORMER GPD OFFICER

July 18, 2008

I checked in and noticed a reflection had not been posted yet in 2008. Just saying hi, I guess, and to let you know you have not been forgotten....
Though I didn't know you, I was working the night you were attacked. We (Clearwater PD) searched for hours until the suspect was located....The emotions that night still hurt...Thank you for your service and for your dedication....I hope Heaven is safer because of your presence.

Sgt. Whitacre
Clearwater P.D.

March 15, 2008

The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

October 2, 2007

JUST PAYING MY RESPECTS. YPUR FATHER IS NOW MY NEIGHBOR AND HAS TOLD ME STORIES AND SHOWED ME HONORS YOU WERE GIVING.

PATROL OFFICER
COLUMBIA PD KY

August 3, 2007

Officer Tackett,

I would like to pay my respects to you. Your sacrifice is not forgotten. May you rest in peace and I'll see you on the other side one day.

Jake

Jake

July 26, 2007

A man so remembered with love and respect never dies but continues to live on in the hearts and minds of others.

June 12, 2006

I met Jeff in a class we shared together in high school-Largo!!!!!!!!!! He was a senior, I was just a freshman-bottom of the totem pole! I had the biggest crush on this "redneck" of a guy! What a sweetheart, a friend to everyone, a smile for all!
There was a girl-a bit of a bully- who was always giving me the hardest time. She caught me in the hall one afternoon and my "hero" appeared out of nowhere to stop whatever was about to happen. Kind of just told Nancy(we never forget the names of our bullies, do we?)to move along. That was that.
Jeff, you always had it in you, didn't you? I will never forget the day it happened and all these years later still think about you, how unselfish and kind you were. How blessed I am to have known you.

Lisa
an old friend

May 10, 2006

Jeff was alot of fun and he liked to laugh & joke around. We used to back each other up on calls and traffics stops, as our small towns bordered each other. We used to have breakfast together at Largo Medical Center on W. Bay Drive. We usually found time about 4-5 am, and would 'catch' up with each other on work, family, and girlfirends.

I couldn't believe he was dead, when I received the call about 4am that morning. I got dressed and rushed out to the crime scene, but there was nothing I could do. He had a nice funeral, which included a large showing of police officers from around the state of Florida. Hulk Hogan and his wife came and showed their support.

In the months and years after his death, I used to stop at the lovely Serenity Gardens where he is laid to rest. It was always a one way conversation, but I like to think he heard me; my prayers, my thoughts and sorrow for his family who missed him even more than I.

Despite the years, it's my hope he is both missed and remembered by all the lives he touched, both professionally and personally. He made a difference for me.

Dale Crews

Sgt. Dale Crews
Belleair Bluffs Police Department, former co-worker

April 19, 2006

Jeff is my first cousin, and every time we visited on another it was always a great time...he is a great and caring individual and a kid-at-heart. It is sad that one has to die so young. I am now the same age Jeff was when he died. He is missed. Thank you everyone for the kind words, it is meanigful and taken with pride and honor... Jared Burton Family Memeber.

Na
NA

March 8, 2005

I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies.....

Rest in peace, hero. God bless.

September 29, 2004

Not 1 day since your death I do not think of you. you were a fine officer & a good friend I still owe you an ice cream

Officer J.H. Clark
belleair PD

August 31, 2004

Eleven years after Jeff's death and 18 years after we attended the police academy together, I remember Jeff. Each time I pass the Police Memorial in DC I take time to recall what a great guy Jeff was and his dedication to our profession.

Special Agent Jim Previtera
United States Secret Service

July 30, 2004

To have chosen a career at such a young age was an unselfish decision and a decision you deserve recognition for. You are a hero. May God bless you and all your survivors.

Rest now brother, you served well.

David Stonebrook
Florida

June 7, 2004

10 years have passed since you were taken....and you are not forgotten. Thank you hero. Thank you for your service to country and mankind. Rest easy.

Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)

October 5, 2003

Rest in peace brother.

Inv. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Department