Good Samaritans get repossessed car back for fallen Tampa police officer's mom

A couple of Good Samaritans got a repossessed car back for fallen Tampa police officer Jeff Kocab's mom.

"That car represents part of Jeff," said Dave Williams. "So she’s got Jeff back in a way."

Williams along with Kevin Crofton surprised Sandy Kocab with a $3,000 check on Thursday to cover the back fees and principal on her 2006 Suzuki Forenza.

"I just want my car back," Kocab said. "Now I can have it back thanks to two wonderful people."

Kocab said on Oct. 5, she and her daughter, Stephanie, woke up to find their car missing outside their Brandon apartment. At first, Kocab thought it had been stolen and called Williams who discovered it had been repossessed.

"I called Hillsborough S.O., it turned out, unfortunately, she was two payments past due," Williams said. "They repo’d it at 3:25 in the morning. At that point, I knew I had to act fast because it’ll go to auction in two weeks."

Kocab said she has been having a tough time since her son was shot and killed during a traffic stop in June of 2010.

"We got behind with the car payment. Things have been on hold since Jeff passed away," she said. "I was a teacher and I quit teaching and so things have just been rough. And then I got sick with asthma.”

To help Kocab out, Williams said he called Crofton, the owner of Uncle John's Pride Sausage, to see if he'd be willing to split the cost to get the car back.

"When Dave told me about it... I was like, 'Sure I’d like to help. Anything I can do,'” Crofton said. "This was so dear to my heart, right around the corner from where my business is, and I just thought it really fit for what I like to do."

Crofton said he's a philanthropist who normally likes to stay behind the scenes.

"God does for me, what I like to do for people. So, it’s not really me, it’s what he’s done through me," he said. "I give all my credit to God.”

Kocab said another reason she wanted that car back is because of the tribute to her son that's on the back window.

"It’s got Jeff’s name on the back,” she said. “I just love these guys that have come through for us. It’s amazing.”

It's one less worry for the fallen officer's mom who has to mentally prepare for Dontae Morris' double murder trial next month. Morris is the man accused of gunning down officers Jeff Kocab and David Curtis.

"We know we have a car and it’s not going to be taken away and it’s ours," Kocab said. "I can get everything else under control.”

"We’ve got your back,” said Williams.