Lightning honor fallen officer

TAMPA - Remembering a fallen officer.

Hockey fans paid tribute Saturday to Corporal Mike Roberts.

He was killed in the line of duty last week.

It was a sea of black and blue.

Thousands of Lightning fans packed the St. Pete Times Forum for Fan Fest 2009.

"Seeing all the players and just getting right back into the season. It's been a long time since it ended and just getting going again," said Helen Weeks, a longtime Lightning fan.

Star players signed autographs and spent time with fans.

But Saturday was more than just a meet and greet. It was about a man who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Tampa Police Cpl. Mike Roberts, killed in the line of duty.

"Mike was a good guy. He was a good cop. Funny guy. I mean he was a riot to be around. Just a great overall guy. Just ashamed he's gone," said Tom Mayer, also a Tampa police officer and Roberts' friend.

Cpl. Roberts was an avid hockey player. So much so, he was the goalie on the police department's hockey team.

Saturday's charity game was in honor of Cpl. Roberts.

"I know he's watching from above. And he'll be cheering us on and making fun of us at the same time," said Michael Hutner, a Tampa police officer and close friend of Roberts.

"To do something for Mike Roberts who died in action. I have a lot of good friends who are police officers in Tampa and Canada and the Lightning stepped up to the table," said former Lightning player Brian Bradley.

Before the drop of the puck, Roberts' wife and 3-year-old son thanked everyone for their support.

Minutes after, the players walked out on to the ice, with Roberts' police badge number on every jersey.

There's no loser in Saturday's game. A moment of silence was held before the game as thousands gave their final respects.

The Lightning players will sign their jerseys from Saturday's game and auction them off.

The money raised will go to a memorial fund for Corporal Roberts' family.