Assistant Tampa City Attorney Kirby Rainsberger Mourned

TAMPA, FL — On Thursday, the Tampa Police Department announced the death of longtime legal adviser and chief assistant city attorney, Kirby Rainsberger.

"It is difficult to express in words the positive impact Kirby made inside the Tampa Police Department and for the entire city of Tampa," Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan said. As chief, I often relied on his wealth of knowledge and his analysis of the law to help me make better-informed decisions. His role as an executive member for six consecutive police chiefs clearly shows the level of trust and reliance each of us, justifiably, had in Kirby. For 30 years, Kirby was the host of institutional knowledge. Today, I lost a friend and I will miss him greatly. He truly was one of a kind."

Rainsberger was a police officer in Florida and Colorado prior to attending law school. He earned a bachelor's degree in criminology from Florida State University in 1975. He graduated from the University of Florida Law School with high honors in 1986.

Rainsberger served the city of Tampa, offering his legal guidance since October 1991. During his tenure, Kirby provided interpretation and advice on established law to six police chiefs, beginning with Chief Eddie Gonzalez in 1992. His legal bulletins were renowned for their thoroughness and often shared with other law enforcement agencies.

"Kirby was a friend, a colleague and most importantly a champion of justice," said Mayor Jane Castor. "While his humble nature precluded him from ever standing in the spotlight, every resident in the city of Tampa should know of his commitment to ensuring that laws were understood, followed and interpreted correctly. His guidance made the city a safer place. I am thankful for our friendship and I will miss him tremendously."

Kirby was surrounded by loved ones when he died of complications from cancer. He was 66 years old.