By Dan Sullivan, Times Staff Writer
Friday, September 24, 2010
TAMPA — Deputy Mark Longway's name was etched into a memorial Friday morning at the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Operations Center in Ybor City, three days after he was killed in a crash with a semitrailer.
Longway's oldest daughter, her mother and sister at her side, thanked the community for the support they received in the wake of his death.
Brandi Trzaska choked back tears as she spoke of her father during a solemn gathering in front of the memorial.
"He is a hero to us all and he will be sorely missed,'' Trzaska said. "Whether he served his country with you, whether he served alongside you as a deputy sheriff or whether he responded to your call for help, those of you who know him know what an amazing husband, father and deputy sheriff he was.''
Members of the sheriff's honor guard pulled back a black sheet to reveal Longway's name etched into the memorial.
Family members took turns stenciling the name from the stone onto pieces of paper.
Longway was on his way home before dawn Tuesday when his sheriff's car collided with a semitrailer truck at N Florida Avenue and Scott Street in downtown Tampa. He had just finished the night shift at the Port of Tampa.