Juan "Johnny" Manuel Capote

Juan Manuel Capote, “Johnny” passed away on Monday, August 29, 2022, at the age of 62. He was born in Havana, Cuba, on July 24, 1960. In 1961 his parents, Juan and Doris Capote, fled Cuba for the United States, bringing Juan and his sister Ana with them.

Johnny was a graduate of Jefferson High School in Tampa, class of 1978. While in high school Johnny completed both his junior and senior years early to get a jump start on his career. He then attended Hillsborough Community College, but decided to head in a different direction.

In 1978 Johnny decided to join the greatest fighting force in the world, the United States Marines. He proudly served 4 years. When you first met him it didn’t take long for you to realize how much he loved being a Marine and serving this country. It was his honor.

In 1985, Johnny heard another calling and was accepted into the police academy for the Miami Dade Police Department, which at that time was known as Metro Dade Police Department. After completing the academy he became a uniform patrol officer in the Northwest District of Miami Dade County. Johnny tirelessly worked for the citizens of Miami Dade and was such an exemplary patrol officer that he was recruited to become a Detective in the Northwest District General Investigations Unit (GIU). Once there, as with everything he did, he began honing his investigative skills.

Once again his efforts did not go unnoticed and Johnny became a Homicide Detective being accepted into a unit that is considered amongst Law Enforcement Departments across this nation as one of the best. Johnny as always did not disappoint and elevated himself to the highest of standards of the Homicide Bureau. He was an elite detective that showed in many of the high profile homicide cases he investigated. Johnny was well respected amongst his supervisors and fellow detectives due to his work ethics, skills, and professionalism.

Johnny left Miami Dade Police Department and moved to Tampa. He wanted to be closer to his son, Sebastian, and to also care for his mother Doris, a promise Johnny made to his father before his passing. He would continue his law enforcement career going to work for Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, then Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, until he retired in 2012. Throughout Johnny’s law enforcement career he received numerous recognitions and commendations from all the departments.

To know Johnny was to love him. He was a geek at heart. He loved to collect and play with all kinds of gadgets. He also loved camping, kayaking, gaming, and talking politics. He was always up for the adventure of trying new restaurants with his loved ones. He especially loved the sea choosing to live within the vicinity of it and scuba diving every chance he got. Johnny’s final resting place will be in the ocean which he so dearly loved. Johnny was a true patriot, our SUPER HERO, and will be truly missed by all!

He is survived by his son Sebastian Capote Bell, his mother Doris Capote, sisters Ana Capote Dubuque (Chris), Elizabeth “Eli” Rodriquez, and Lissett Foreman (Frere’). Fiancée Anita Carabine, nephews Bryce Rodriguez, Sean Rodriguez, Lorenzo Foreman, and his only niece Gabriella Foreman.

A celebration of life for Johnny will be held Saturday, September 10, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Gonzalez Funeral Home, 7209 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33614.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gonzalezfuneral.com for the Capote family.