Slain officer gets Rose Bowl honor

Hubert Tate

• Photojournalist: Robert Brown

MOBILE, Alabama (WALA) - A Mobile native, whom was shot while on the job, will get a special honor during the 2011 Rose Bowl Parade.

Family and friends of David Curtis loved to give; as a father, husband, and police officer.

Curtis' mother says her son always wanted to help the next person, and that included being an organ donor.

"He gave his life making our country livable for families," said mother Cindy Warren.

Curtis was shot in June during a traffic stop while working as a police officer in Tampa.

Since he was a registered organ donor, the 31-year-old was able to serve others, even in death.

"David was able in spite of his murder to give six parts, including a set of lungs," said Warren.

Because Curtis was a donor, he will be honored at the 2011 Rose Bowl.

A picture of Curtis will be on the Donate Life Float , an organization that works to help those who need organs.

"Our goal is to not only bring awareness to organ donation, but inspire people to act," said Donate Life chairman Brian Stewart

Last week in Tampa, Curtis' wife help design the float, which is made of flowers and other organic materials.

"His eyebrows for instance are made of coffee grounds. It's all natural products. So it lifts up his face so people can recognize it," said Warren

Because Curtis gave so much during his life, the Donate Life organization is now returning the favor.

Curtis' partner, Jeffrey Kocab, who was also killed will be honored as well.

Donate Life is a not-for-profit alliance of local affiliates and national organizations dedicated to inspiring all people to donate life through organ, eye and tissue donation. Hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life in every corner of the country are in need of life-saving and healing gifts that are possible only through organ, eye and tissue donation.

The float's national campaign is coordinated by OneLegacy, the non-profit, federally designated organ and tissue recovery organization serving the seven-county greater Los Angeles area, and is supported by more than 60 organizations nationwide.