TAMPA, FL. (APRIL 1, 2026) - - Chief Lee Bercaw has promoted four members of the Tampa Police Department into new command level positions.

"Today marks a step forward for the Tampa Police Department as we announce the promotion of two Deputy Chiefs and two Majors to our command staff," said Chief Bercaw. "These leaders bring diverse backgrounds and unique perspectives, yet they are united by the singular vision of ensuring a safe Tampa for all. This leadership team will leverage their collective wealth of experience to address the needs of today and develop the next generation of officers and professional staff dedicated to working in partnership with our community."

The role of Assistant Chief will now provide direct oversight for the two newly promoted Deputy Chief positions. Assistant Chief Brett Owen will serve in this role, providing guidance to the Deputy Chief of Operations and Deputy Chief of Investigations & Support.

• Alex Thiel will remain Major of District One.
• Les Richardson will remain Major of District Three.
• Jason Dillaha will remain Major of Special Operations.
• Kim Fruit will remain Major of Support Services.

A formal promotion ceremony will be held on a later date.

THOSE PROMOTED ARE AS FOLLOWS:

ERIC DeFELICE, DEPUTY CHIEF OF INVESTIGATIONS & SUPPORT

Deputy Chief Eric DeFelice most recently served as the Major of Criminal Investigations, which is comprised of the Major Crimes Bureau, the Violent Crimes Bureau, and the Forensics Investigations Unit, where he provided oversight of all long-term, latent investigations allowing uniform patrol officers to focus on day-to-day operations.

Deputy Chief DeFelice began his career with the Tampa Police Department in 2005. He previously served three years as a patrol officer with the Montgomery County Police Department in Montgomery County, Maryland. His initiative and dedicated performance were quickly recognized. Within two years, he was asked to join the District One Quick Uniform Attack on Drugs (QUAD) Squad to address street-level narcotics issues plaguing the district. In 2010, he received his first promotion, rising in rank to detective. Later, he transitioned to the role of Corporal for a Rapid Offender Control (ROC) Squad, focusing on the swift apprehension of criminal suspects and repeat offenders.

With leadership skills evident, he was promoted to Sergeant in 2014 and became the commanding officer of another ROC Squad before moving to his next assignment as supervisor of the then newly formed Tactical Narcotics Team (TNT). In this role, he coordinated investigations, intelligence-gathering, and enforcement action with a goal of dismantling organizations involved in illicit street-level narcotics activities and improving quality of life for residents.

2018 brought him to the rank of Lieutenant and he began working in District Three. In his new capacity, he took quickly to the role of motivating personnel to higher levels of performance while balancing the expectations of executive management. His supervisory style conveyed a vested interest in both employee and departmental success while working toward the goal of crime reduction. His proudest accomplishment during this period was earning the respect of those who worked under his command. He was then promoted to Captain and began his assignment as the commander of Sector C, covering the city north of Busch Boulevard, including New Tampa.

Deputy Chief DeFelice has been the recipient of numerous commendations, including being presented with the Excellent Duty Award for his leadership skills. He holds a bachelor's degree in criminology from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

PATRICK MESSMER, DEPUTY CHIEF OF OPERATIONS

Deputy Chief Patrick Messmer is a highly decorated officer who most recently served as the Major of District 2, the largest division of the Tampa Police Department, which includes areas such as Busch Gardens, the University of South Florida, and the Tampa Palms and Hunters Green area frequently referred to as "New Tampa."

Joining the Tampa Police Department in 2005, his tenure has included diverse assignments and leadership roles. As a detective and detective sergeant, he participated in or supervised multiple high-profile criminal investigations involving serious offenses. He previously worked as a field training officer and began his career as a community-oriented policing officer in Tampa's largest public housing complex. After serving as a patrol shift commander, he was assigned to the Special Operations Division as a lieutenant where he took an active role in special event and emergency management along with the management of many of the Department's specialty units. He then went on to lead he Professional Standards Bureau as a Captain, where he was responsible for internal investigations, accreditation, quality assurance, and training. This was followed by assignment as the Major of the Criminal Investigations Division. In addition to his regular duties, he has also commanded law enforcement operations at Raymond James Stadium during large-scale special events.

Deputy Chief Messmer is a general topics instructor and has completed over 1,500 hours of advanced and specialized law enforcement training in a variety of areas. He holds a bachelor's degree in Police Administration from Eastern Kentucky University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Central Florida. He is a graduate of the 287th session of the prestigious FBI National Academy and has also completed the FBI-LEEDA Executive Leadership Institute. He is also the senior police trustee of the Tampa Firefighters and Police Officers Pension Fund, the largest municipal pension fund in the state.

WHITNEY McCORMICK, MAJOR OF DISTRICT TWO

Major Whitney McCormick most recently served as the Captain of Sector C, which covers the northern part of the city.

Major McCormick, a native of Lexington, Kentucky, began her law enforcement journey fueled by the pursuit of a team-oriented career with a singular, impactful goal. After initial service with the St. Petersburg Police Department, she joined the Tampa Police Department in 2009. Over the years, she has served in every patrol district and ascended the ranks, notably in the Field Training program, where she served in every capacity from officer to captain. Her tenure also includes diverse assignments such as leading investigations as a detective and overseeing violent crime reduction as a lieutenant. Her career is distinguished by specialized roles, including seven years with the Honor Guard and five years on the Hostage Negotiation Team, where she served two years as Team Leader. Her bravery and commitment to duty have earned her numerous accolades, including the Award of Valor, the Tactical Excellence Award, and the Life Saving Award.

Education and professional development are the cornerstones of her leadership. A graduate of the University of South Florida with a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration, she is currently a PhD candidate in Criminal Justice, with a concentration in Homeland Security through Liberty University. Her expertise is further strengthened by elite training from the FBI National Academy, FBI-LEEDA, and the St. Leo Command Leadership School. This demanding academic background supports her transformational leadership style, through which she inspires her team to challenge conventional thinking and develop innovative approaches to public safety. She takes immense pride in the professional growth of those she has mentored, many of whom have risen to significant levels of responsibility within the department.

Dedicated to the evolution of modern policing, Major McCormick emphasizes that community trust is built through transparency, accountability, and working hand-in-hand with the citizens of Tampa. She remains committed to staying at the forefront of emerging trends to ensure the department provides the highest level of service. Outside of her professional life, she finds balance through golf, her family, and cheering for the Tampa Bay Lightning. For those entering the field, she remains a staunch advocate for the profession, believing that while the challenges are great, the reward of delivering justice for others is incomparable.

LISA PURCELL, MAJOR OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS

Major Lisa Purcell most recently served as the Captain of the Professional Standards Bureau, which is comprised of Internal Affairs Unit, Quality Assurance Unit, the Body Worn Camera Program, and Accreditation.

Major Purcell is a lifelong resident of Tampa and a graduate of Jefferson High School who has dedicated over two decades of service to her hometown. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from the University of South Florida in 2003, she joined the Tampa Police Department in May 2004 as a sponsored recruit. Her early career was defined by diverse experience in patrol, community policing, rapid offender control, and investigative units, including tenures as a detective in latent investigations and with the Sex Crimes Unit. Driven by a commitment to protecting vulnerable populations, she notably expanded the department's Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) and Cyber Crimes units while concurrently serving as Sergeant of the Special Victims Unit.

As she rose through the ranks, her focus shifted toward high-level operational leadership and departmental integrity. She has served as a Lieutenant across all three districts and held pivotal roles as a Public Information Officer and a leader within the Behavioral Health Unit. She played a key role in the CFA Accreditation process-an achievement recognized with a 2025 Unit Citation.

Beyond her administrative duties, she is a champion for organizational health, serving as the department's Wellness Co-Coordinator. She has been instrumental in the success of critical resources such as the Peer Support Team and mental health applications to support the physical, financial, and emotional well-being of her fellow officers and professional staff. Her leadership is backed by extensive specialized training, including the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy and the IACP Women's Leadership Institute. Throughout her career, Major Purcell has remained an active contributor to numerous community boards and task forces, ensuring the Tampa Police Department maintains the highest standards of service, accountability, and compassion.