TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. — One military organization is honoring the 23rd anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks with a charitable gift for the family of a fallen Tarpon Springs police officer.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid, in full, the mortgage of Officer Charles Kondek Jr.'s home — lifting a major financial burden for the fallen officer's wife and five children.
Officer Kondek followed in his father's footsteps when he joined the New York Police Department in 1991. After six years on the force, he transferred to the Tarpon Springs Police Department.
Kondek was killed on Dec. 21, 2014, when responding to a noise complaint call for loud music playing in a parked car. When Kondek approached the car, he was shot, killed and run over while the suspect left the scene, according to the organization.
His wife, Teresa, and five children, Charles M., Holly, Andrew, Brandon and Aleena, now work to carry on his legacy.
Teresa advocates for law enforcement and assists widows and children left behind. In 2019, Andrew graduated from the law enforcement academy and now works as a Tampa Airport police officer.
“Knowing the forever home that my husband and I built, and the history here, is now debit-free… words can’t describe our gratefulness. How can you thank someone enough for that?” Teresa said.
The gift for Officer Kondek's family was made possible by the Tunnel to Towers First Responder Home Program which pays off the mortgages for the families of law enforcement officers and firefighters who are killed in the line of duty, pass away from 9/11-related illnesses and leave behind young children.
