ST. PETERSBURG - A cookout to honor security guard Mathew Little will be held at the apartment complex where he was fatally shot.

The event will take place at Mariner's Pointe Apartments, 1175 Pinellas Point Drive S., in St. Petersburg.

Critical Intervention Services and Mariner’s Pointe Apartments will host the community event in memory of Little, who was slain May 16 while conducting a routine patrol of the property.

In addition to hot dogs and drinks for the kids, there will be an opportunity to win prizes.

“The children will be able to participate in tug of war, water balloon toss, egg toss and many other games," CIS Maj. Hector Rodriguez said. "CIS Protection Officers will be teamed with kids to participate in three-legged races.” 

Many CIS officers are volunteering their time to be part of this event, which pays tribute to Little’s passion for networking the children of the communities he patrolled. He went to work every day to make a positive impact and hoped each interaction he had with children would plant a seed for them to become productive and successful citizens. He was a positive role model in their lives.

A memorial T-shirt will be on sale for $15. Several will be raffled off as part of the festivities. All proceeds from T-shirt sales will benefit a scholarship fund in Little's name so that children in the communities he served will be eligible to obtain financial support as they pursue higher education and programs.

The event "will give protection officers and the community an opportunity to come together and honor Officer Little’s legacy of positively impacting the lives of children,” Rodriguez said.