Trying to locate information IP: 72.185.171.1 Posted on October 31, 2011 at 01:17:07 AM by webmaster
Hello:
Hope this email finds you well. I have been in touch with some former Tampa PD officers whose email addresses I found on tamparetiree.com. I am trying to find officers who may still be alive who would remember the case involving the drowning death in Tampa of my birth father, Robert "Bob" Workman, in July 1962. I have heard from Joe Mirabella, Dick Cowan, Charlie Carreno and Dick Rivetts, and they were not familiar with the case. I am trying to find anyone who may have memories of the case who might be able to share those with me.
I wanted to ask if it would be possible to post something on your website's message board asking folks who may have any memory of the case to contact me, or to contact me if they have any suggestions for how to find former TPD officers who may be able to help.
I do have the police report from my father's death, and I pulled out the names of the officers who were involved in the incident and investigation. I emailed those to a number of other former officers to see if any of the officers in the report are still alive, and most of them are apparently deceased. However, there are a few who they were not sure about. If you know if any of these officers are still alive, can you please let me know? Thank you.
William E. Young
Capt. Bowen (report didn't have a first name)
Patrolman Lester Albury
Officer Joe Perez
Also, I am trying to find out if former TPD Chief Robert "Bob" L. Smith is still alive. He was apparently on the force in 1962 when my father died and later served as the city's public safety director after serving as chief. Joe Mirabella seemed to think he's still alive. Do you know how I can contact him?
Joe Mirabella suggested I contact the Tampa Firefighters and Police Pension Board, but I wasn't sure if that would be a good way to go or not.
Also, if you have any suggestions on how I might find other officers who were serving on the force in 1962 and are still alive, please let me know. If it helps, attached is a Tampa Tribune story about my father's death. I realize finding former officers still alive who served almost 50 years ago will be difficult, but any advice or contacts you may be able to provide would be greatly appreciated.
Please feel free to contact me by email or phone at your convenience.