Cape officers head to FL for services for fallen deputy as local services are announced

Deputy Kotfila with is father Sgt. John Kotfila of the Massachusetts State Police (l) and brother, Michael Kotfila of the Falmouth Police Department. (r) photo courtesy of Harwich Police

FALMOUTH – Falmouth and Barnstable County Sheriff personnel gather in front of jail and headquarters building in Bourne, about to begin a somber and unanticipated road trip.  Sheriff James Cummings (light blue shirt) and his number three, Superintendent John Rogorzenski (next to him, dark jacket), will stay behind but the others have since headed for Tampa Bay, Florida.  Their sad task will be to return with the body of Hillsborough County Sheriff John Kotfila Jr.  Kotfila was on duty last Saturday when he was struck and killed by a driver going in the wrong direction on a Tampa thruway.  

Others in the photo, who will be making the trip, include (left to right): Falmouth Police Sgt. Brian Loewen, Falmouth Patrolman Ron Carpenter, Falmouth PD Capt. Jeffrey Smith, and Falmouth Patrolman Julia Massi.  Next to Rogorzenski are Barnstable County Capt. Barney Murphy and next to him Lt. Ken Shaffer.  Murphy and Shaffer will tend to honor guard duties at the Florida end and the four Falmouth officers will assist with funeral details there as representatives of their department.

That’s fitting because Kotfila’s younger brother Michael (not in photo) is a relatively new officer with Falmouth PD.  A third member of this law-enforcement triumvirate is also Cape-connected – John Katfila Sr., father of both the deceased deputy and Michael.  He is a State Police sergeant currently posted at the Bourne barracks.  Kotfila Sr. and Sheriff Cummings are law enforcement colleagues, having cemented a professional friendship while working together with the State Police.  Cummings retired from that agency to become county sheriff.

Meanwhile, local services have been announced for Deputy Kotfila. Calling hours will be on Tuesday March 22nd from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home at 475 Main Street in Falmouth. A funeral service with full police honors will be held on Wendesday March 23rd at 11 a.m at St. Patrick’s Church at 511 Main Street in Falmouth.
Material from Barnstable Sheriff’s Office used in this report