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Tampa honors police, a trailblazing firefighter and two city clerks in Jan. 8 ceremony
Summary
Council recognized Officer Caitlin Parrish as Police Officer of the Month after Tampa police cited sharp declines in murders and nonfatal shootings in 2025; retired inspections supervisor Betty Coleman was honored for 45 years with Tampa Fire Rescue as the department's first African American female hire, and Shirley Fox Knowles and Suling Lucas Harris received Master Municipal Clerk pins.
Tampa — The Tampa City Council opened its Jan. 8 session with a series of recognitions for local public servants.
Chief (identified in the transcript as) Burkhart presented statistical highlights for the Tampa Police Department, saying early estimates show a 2025 total of 19 murders — the lowest in over half a century — nonfatal shootings down by approximately 35% and traffic fatalities down by more than 20%. The chief named Officer Caitlin Parrish, advisor to the Police Athletic League Explorer Post, as Officer of the Month and…
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