TAMPA, Fla. — The son of a fallen Tampa police officer received a special surprise during his high school graduation ceremony.
Adam Roberts was only three years old when his father, Cpl. Michael Roberts was shot and killed in the line of duty while investigating a suspicious person, the Tampa Police Department said in a news release.
Cpl. Michael Roberts was reportedly shot in the chest by former U.S. Virgin Islands police officer Humberto Delgado, who fled the scene before authorities captured him, law enforcement said in the release.
Delgado was convicted of first-degree murder, receiving a death sentence before it was reduced to life in prison, according to Tampa police.
Fifteen years later, the same K-9 unit Adam's father was a part of was there to see him graduate on May 18.
Since Michael Roberts' death, the Tampa Police Benevolent Association provided support and kept in contact with Adam's family, police said.
At this time, Adam is deciding which university to attend, police said in the release.
"We are so proud of what Adam has achieved after losing his father at such a young age,” said Brandon Barclay, the president of the Tampa Police Benevolent Association. “It’s not just our brave officers who are part of the PBA community, but their family members as well. We were thrilled to be on hand to celebrate Adam’s high school graduation, and we know he’ll go on to do great things.”
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