Detective Todd Fatta, 33, a nine-year veteran with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office assigned to the Law Enforcement Against Child Harm Task Force, was fatally shot on August 19, 2004, in Fort Lauderdale while officers were serving a search warrant at the home of registered sex offender Kenneth Wilk. Wilk, 42, opened fire as the warrant was being served; Fatta was struck in the chest and died after high-caliber rounds penetrated his bulletproof vest. Sergeant Angelo Cedeno was wounded in the hand and shoulder and later underwent surgery.

Wilk was taken into custody at the scene. He had been under investigation for possession of child pornography, and the warrant was part of an ongoing probe into child exploitation. Wilk’s roommate, Kelly Ray Jones, had been arrested earlier in the investigation for sending illicit images of children to an undercover detective. Detectives had noted previous threats by Wilk toward law enforcement.

The shooting shocked the community and law enforcement colleagues and prompted a large memorial service for Fatta. If anyone has information about the events at the Wilk residence on August 19, 2004, or knew Detective Fatta, please come forward.