Charles R. Kondek Jr.

Police Officer Charles Roger Kondek, Jr. was killed in the line of duty on December 21, 2014 after sustaining multiple fatal gunshot wounds while responding to a noise complaint.

Kondek was born in Brooklyn, NY. He grew up in the Long Island/Massapequa area, graduating from Plainedge High School in 1998. He played soccer and football, once holding the record for the longest yard kick.

Kondek followed his father’s footsteps and joined the NYPD where he began his career in law enforcement in 1991. He worked midnights in the 34 and 75 precincts. In 1997, he moved to Florida and began his career with the Tarpon Springs Police Department where he served almost eighteen years before his end of watch. On December 21, 2014, two calls were dispatched (a bar fight and a noise complaint). Kondek responded and advised dispatch to assign the noise complaint to him as he was closest to the location. When he arrived, he approached a vehicle in the parking lot playing loud music, but he was unaware that a convicted felon with a stolen gun and an active warrant for violation of parole was at the location to shoot the person he said “ratted him out.” As the convicted felon ran to his car, he saw Kondek approaching the rear of his car. The convicted felon fired seven rounds at Kondek with one bullet entering just above the vest near the collar bone area. Kondek called for back-up but did not respond after that. Kondek was able to fire two rounds before collapsing. The convicted felon then got in his car and drove over Kondek and fled. Minutes later officers arrived to render aid but unfortunately his injuries were too severe. Kondek lost his life within minutes of exiting his car early that morning, just four days before Christmas. He was forty-five years old and just three years from retiring.

Kondek was recognized as a great listener with a calm demeanor to de-escalate situations. He was very respected for his reputation and characteristics within his community, where his legacy still lives on. During Kondek’s time of service, he had many notable accomplishments including saving at-risk children, checking businesses after hours to ensure they were locked, and once saving another officer in a physical altercation on the side of the road on his way to work one day, to name a few.

Kondek met his wife, Teresa, who was completing intern hours working with abused/neglected teens at a residential juvenile facility where he worked part-time during the hiring process at the Tarpon Springs Police Department. After three short months of dating, they married and began their journey that sadly, would later end tragically.

As Teresa prepared for Kondek’s trial, she watched the dashcam footage, listened to radio traffic, and watched the interview footage. She heard the frantic screams of his fellow officers as they worked tirelessly to save him. Teresa stated she owes them for trying so hard to save him while holding his hand and talking to him when he passed so he wasn’t alone. After Kondek was killed, his son stepped up to follow in his father’s footsteps to keep the name and legacy alive.

Teresa currently lives in the home that her and her husband built on the property purchased from her father where she grew up. They raised five children, rotating duties, while Kondek worked midnights and Teresa worked days. Now, Teresa is an advocate for law enforcement and is active with legislative changes and proposals, while assisting families left behind like her own. She enjoys being involved within the community and sharing her support.

Unsponsored, she speaks at law enforcement events, nationally and locally. Once a month, she anonymously pays for meals for officers at different locations to show her support for those still serving. While visiting NYC, she received help from NYPD PBA President Pat Lynch to continue her tradition.

After retiring, Kondek planned to buy a small cabin in the Tennessee/North Carolina area where he and Teresa vacationed every year with their five children. However, after nearly twenty-three years of dedicated service, that day never came. In fact, the month and year Kondek planned to retire, Teresa was sitting in his murder trial.

In the future, Teresa hopes to build a cabin in North Carolina which will provide first responders with a place to get away from the stress and trauma of their job. Teresa states this cabin would honor Kondek’s retirement that was taken from him so violently, while honoring and giving back to first responders still serving.

Receiving a mortgage free home from the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has allowed a weight to be lifted off of Teresa’s shoulders. She says, “Knowing the forever home that my husband and I built, and the history we’ve made here, is now debt-free… words can’t describe our gratefulness. How can you thank someone enough for that??” When asked what’s the most important thing for people to know about her loved one, Teresa shared the article, See
This Man, which she wrote in 2018. She shares the love that her husband had for his career, the pride he felt to be an American, and the joy and fullness of just being alive. She hopes people never forget about the brave first responders who risk their lives every day to protect the lives of strangers and the sacrifice that they are willing to make while doing so. Not to mention the families left behind if and when that day comes.

Police Officer Charles Roger Kondek Jr., is survived by his wife Teresa, and the five children, Charles M., Holly, Andrew, Brandon, Aleena, they so proudly raised together.