Sister of Fallen Deputy Follows in His Footsteps

June 29, 2017
Newly graduated Hillsborough County Sheriff's Deputy Katelyn Kotfila, the younger sister of fallen Deputy John Kotfila Jr., plans to honor her brother's memory by helping others.

The sister of a Florida deputy who was killed by a wrong-way driver last year followed in his footsteps by joining the same department he served with.

Newly graduated Hillsborough County Sheriff's Deputy Katelyn Kotfila, the younger sister of fallen Deputy John Kotfila Jr., plans to honor her brother's memory by helping others, according to WFLA-TV.

"Anytime I see anything with HCSO I think of him and I am reminded that I am here and he is not," she told the news station. "But in the process, if I could save just one family from the pain and suffering that I went through, it would be worth it."

More than a year has gone passed since her brother, who was only 30, was killed in the line of duty while trying to stop a wrong-way driver.

"He would just be really proud of me and be happy, I just wish he could be here with me," she said.

Katelyn's mother and father, who is a Massachusetts State Police trooper, were in attendance at her graduation and were there to pin her badge onto her uniform.

She is slated to work in District Three on the west side of the county.

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