Christopher John "Chris" Connell

Christopher John Connell , age 59, a resident of Tallahassee, Florida, passed away suddenly after a brief illness on October 5, 2019 at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, FL surrounded by his loving wife Carla (Calton), his son Michael and daughter Kristen. He is survived by his mother Maureen Connell (McDermott), father Lawrence (Laurel) Connell as well as brothers James (Vicky), Thomas (Laura) and Paul (Ann) Connell and sister Laureen (William) Dempsey (Connell), Carla’s parents Bill and Bobbie Calton, siblings Nancy (Marion) Cooper and Larry (Kay) Calton, and numerous aunts, uncles, niece, nephews and his trusted dog Copper. Chris was born in New York City, moving to Merritt Island at the age of six. He lived there until the age of thirteen when he moved to Tallahassee. He graduated from Lincoln High School, attended Florida State University and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice/Police Science from St. Leo University. Chris and Carla married in 1987. Chris served in varying positions of increasing responsibility within the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD). He served as a Patrol Officer, a Field Training Officer, Investigator with Vice and Narcotics Unit, and an Investigator with the Robbery Task Force. As a Sergeant, Chris served as a Patrol Sergeant and worked with the Career Criminal Unit, and was the TAC Entry Team Leader. As a Lieutenant Chris was a Tactical Team Commander, Criminal Investigations Assistant Division Commander, and Shift Watch Commander. As a Captain, he was Division Commander for Uniform Patrol, Special Operations and Homeland Security/Special Investigations, the TAC Team Commander and other positions. In addition, Chris was President of the Florida SWAT Association in 2005. Chris retired after 28 years as a Major overseeing the Operations and Support Bureaus. Upon retirement from TPD, he began work as an Inspector-Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Coordinator with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). In December 2014, he was selected to serve with FDLE as the Director of Capitol Police. Recently, Chris was among the 20 finalists to be considered for the Chief of Police, City of Tallahassee Police Department. Chris worked with numerous charitable organizations raising thousands of dollars to help those in need throughout his career. He generously donated his time to ensure all those who worked with him were also taken care of. Chris loved his family fiercely, and enjoyed spending time with them at their beach house, taking the boat out to fish or simply be out on the water. Many people only saw the serious side of Chris, but his friends and family knew he had a wicked sense of humor and enjoyed laughing. He loved to rough house and kid around with his brothers, and was always known as someone to be counted on through thick and thin. A memorial service will be held at Thomasville Road Baptist Church on Friday, October 11th at 2pm. After the service there will be a reception in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation be made to your favorite charity in Chris Connell’s name. Susie Mozolic of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements. (www.bevisfh.com 850-385-2193)

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Christopher John "Chris" Connell

July 21, 1960 - October 5, 2019