Graffiti Artist's Tribute to Fallen Tampa Officer Unveiled

A mural honoring fallen Cpl. Mike Roberts and other members of the Tampa Police Department District 2 Headquarters was unveiled Tuesday afternoon during a ceremony led by Mayor Pam Iorio.

Roberts was killed in the line of duty after stopping a suspicious person. He left behind a wife and young son.

The artist, Chico Garcia, said he was inspired to paint the 10x25 foot mural after moving to Tampa in 2009 from New York City and learning of the corporal's death in the line of duty. He reached out to the department afterward and offered his skills.

As a youth, Garcia got into trouble tagging New York City trains and buildings with graffiti. He later blossomed into a respected painter who has worked for the City of New York as a commissioned artist. He has many friends and a brother who are police officers, and said his mural in Tampa was born from love and compassion.

"I used to run from the cops, and today I'm hanging out with them," he said, laughing.

Roberts' portrait is at the center of the mural, under the U.S. flag. The placement was unintentional, but seemed more than appropriate to Garcia, who said he felt the officer's presence while he was painting the mural.

"It comes out that way sometimes," Garcia said. "I didn't even plan it … It really came together. He must have been a really special person for it to come out like that."

Mayor Iorio called the mural a tangible way to remember and honor Roberts. She praised department members for their bravery.

"They're just the best," she said. "I think we have the very best police department in the country. Let's celebrate this beautiful mural today and let's never forget those we've lost in the line of duty."