The Tampa Bay area has
experienced more than its share of wrong way drivers the past few years. And I
think it confounds the average driver how such a thing could possibly happen;
especially on well-lit, adequately-signed thoroughfares, such as interstates
and parkways.
On March 12, 2016 another tragic accident occurred on the
parkway in Tampa. John Kotfila, a deputy with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s
Department, responded to the incident in a virtually unprecedented manner, and
his quick thinking and the actions which followed go far beyond
charitable.
The newspaper report conveys it well.
“Deputy Kotfila's final moments were
spent trying to help someone else. Sarah Geren and her boyfriend were driving
home from Ybor City on the Selmon Expressway Saturday morning, when she spotted
the wrong way driver.
"I was flashing my lights crazily
at him like a strobe light.--click click click click, because I couldn't think
of any other way to say 'Stop driving at me! Please don't hit me!'"
Geren said.
But before she knew it, Deputy Kotfila,
who was driving right behind her, passed her, taking the impact in the crash
that ultimately killed him and the wrong way driver.”
What kind of man is this?
It occurs to me that the two word
phrase, “Sacrificial Suicide” says it well, and says it all.
I can only imagine the momentary
decision and emotional dynamic it took to purposely pass the would-be victims,
and place one’s self “in the line of fire;” realizing that in the space of a
few moments he would almost certainly be ushered into eternity.
In the New Testament, John 15:13, we
read,
“Greater love has no man than this that
a man lay down his life for a friend.”
Deputy Kotfila did one better. He
sacrificed his life for someone with whom he was altogether unacquainted.
And as a result, two precious young
people were provided the wherewithal to continue living, and moving and
breathing and loving; whereas, both would have almost certainly lost her lives
that day.
His sacrifice of himself and all that
lay ahead of him has impacted me in a profound manner.
May God hold this sacrificial law
officer in the hollow of His loving arms, and reward him for having given the
last full measure of devotion.
by William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary. Pt. 47. Copyright Pending.
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by William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary. Pt. 47. Copyright Pending.
If you wish to share, save or copy, please include the credit line, above
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