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Two Years Later Sottile's Death Still Is Painful

The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 11, 2009

Monday will be the second anniversary of a tragic time in our county. It's the date State Trooper Sgt. Nick Sottile was shot down along U.S. 27 north of Lake Placid. It's a date that those who knew Sottile, and those who did not, were in shock at the brutality that happened that afternoon against a man known and loved in his community.

The suspect in his shooting still hasn't faced trial, but that's coming. Sottile's family is bracing for the pain his trial will rekindle, but also anxious for justice to be handed down. The state's attorney is seeking the death penalty in the case.

Two years hasn't lessened the pain felt by family members, nor the sadness people living in Highlands County still feel about this incident. The murder of a law enforcement officer touches all of us, because we have a special connection to the people who regularly keep us safe.

A few nights ago a Sebring Police officer escaped injury when a drunk driver plowed into her cruiser. She was lucky to be unharmed. It just goes to show that whether it's a violent crime or a stupid accident, these folks put it on the line for us every hour of every day.

Just about everyone mumbles from time to time about getting speeding tickets or other inconveniences caused by law enforcement, but few among us let that cloud our opinions of the men and women sworn to serve.

We honor the memory of Sgt. Nick Sottile but also want all law enforcement professionals in our communities and state to know that although they usually only hear negative things about them and rarely the positive things, the public does respect them.

The community wants them kept as safe as possible and when they are threatened, we're all threatened. After all, anyone who would commit a crime against law enforcement certainly wouldn't think twice about harming the public.

We hope the Sottile family finds solace knowing that the community that their husband, brother and father served profoundly appreciated his contributions as an officer and as a person. He will not be forgotten.

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