MAY 2012 HONORING THOSE WHO PROTECT & SERVE. A Message From Your Sheriff

Transcription

1 MAY 2012 A Message From Your Sheriff HONORING THOSE WHO PROTECT & SERVE. Law enforcement officials across the U.S. take time each May to hold special remembrance ceremonies and appreciation events to recognize and honor those who have, and continue to serve, in the law enforcement profession. It s difficult to express the depths of our appreciation for the commitment and sacrifices of men and women who wear the badge. Many, including three of our own, have paid for their service with their lives. It is important to say: We remember. We care. We will never forget. I want to thank all who contributed to this year s Police Week events and all who continue to make selfless sacrifices on the job each day. Sincerely,

2 OCSO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES Congratulations to Choctawhatchee High School Resource Officer Deputy Tom Henry and Deputy Heath Hehl. They are two of five local law enforcement officers nominated for the Bridgeway Center s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for The judges request nominations showcasing officers who display heroic acts, have high personal standards above and beyond the call of duty, and make significant contributions to public safety. OCSO Deputies Tom Henry and Heath Hehl with Sheriff Larry Ashley Nominees: OCSO Deputy Heath Hehl, FWB PD Corp. Candy Galindo, OCSO Deputy Tom Henry, FHP Trooper Loren Slick, and Eglin MSgt. Heidi Reilly of Eglin s 96th Security Forces Squadron with Helen Hunt-Rigdon of Congressman Jeff Miller s Office Congratulations to this year s winners MSgt. Reilly and Corp. Galindo!

3 GOVERNOR APPOINTS SHERIFF TO STATE CITIZEN SAFETY & PROTECTION TASK FORCE Sheriff Larry Ashley attended the first meeting of Governor Scott s new Citizen Safety and Protection Task Force this month in Tallahassee, saying Our ultimate goal is to make sure the laws and regulations we have on the books provide the best level of protection possible for our citizens. In the wake of the Trayvon Martin shooting, Governor Scott has tasked the new 19 member panel with reviewing Florida Statute Chapter 776 and any other laws relating to public safety and citizen protection. He then wants the Task Force to make recommendations to the Governor and Legislature on any suggested areas for improvement. A Task Force website has been set up to provide information and updates on the committee s efforts: You can also follow its work on and all meetings will be streamed live on: PAIR PACKING GUN & BURGLARY TOOLS CHARGED David Landes David Vanwagner An Okaloosa County Sheriff s Deputy who spotted two men in a golf cart between several closed businesses on Main Street in Destin found burglary tools, a gun, and drugs in their possession when he went to investigate. 40-year old David Landes and 42- year old David Vanwagner, both of Destin, face multiple charges, including possession of burglary tools and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The deputy spotted the pair around one a.m. near 230 Main Street. He noticed a smoking device made from tinfoil in plain view in the golf cart, and also found marijuana and a 9 mm handgun along with a crowbar, handsaw, and flat bar tools commonly used to commit burglaries.

4 COLD CASE CHRONICLE The Okaloosa County Sheriff s Office still has an open investigation in an unsolved murder case dating back to October The body of Merle Dean Lewis was found at his mobile home at 66 Brenda Lane in Mary Esther. He had been shot once in the chest. One of the few clues is that neighbors reported seeing a white pickup truck leaving the home the night of the slaying at a high rate of speed with its lights off. The murder is being profiled in the OCSO Cold Case Chronicles series. If you have information on the shooting death of Merle Lewis of Mary Esther in 1973, contact Investigator Jermaine Scott at the Okaloosa County Sheriff s Office AT or Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at TIPS. To watch the Cold Case Chronicles video, which includes an artist s rendering of a possible suspect - just click on: v=blfs29b4teo&feature=plcp&context=c4f6d2f0vdvjvqa1ppcfpprw6jd YsG_sT3Xr9KR10o0dDsrmVPsgs=

5 SPRING BREAK 2012 WRAP-UP Okaloosa County Sheriff's deputies on beach patrol issued at least 543 notice to appear citations to underage drinkers during Spring Break That compares to 342 NTA s for underage possession of alcohol handed out during Spring Break Deputies say the first two weeks of the Spring Break season ere by far the busiest, when many SEC schools had simultaneous break dates. They also say one of the trends this year involved students getting rental houses in Destin s Crystal Beach area and holding street parties. Here is a breakdown of some of the states with the highest number of offenders cited for underage possession of alcohol during Spring Break 2012: ALABAMA: 83 students GEORGIA: 74 students LOUISIANA: 65 students MISSISSIPPI: 46 students LOCALS: 36 students NTA s for underage alcohol possession were also issued to students from 26 other states. In addition to 543 NTA s for underage drinking, Okaloosa County Sheriff's Deputies also made at least five arrests for possession of marijuana, five for retail theft, one for battery, and one for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

6 OCSO RECOGNITIONS Lifesaving Awards for Deputies Daniel Hamilton, Kyle Lowrey & Marcus O Sullivan Deputy Rodney Frazier Retires After 25 years of service Certificate of Commendation for Deputy Matt Self Deputy Skip Wood Recognized For 20 Years of Service Mobile Police Department Sends Appreciation Plaque to OCSO Honor Guard

7 GETTING INVOLVED & GIVING BACK MUD RUN FOR ORPHANS! FWB RELAY FOR LIFE! HONOR GUARD IN TALLAHASSEE! CRESTVIEW RELAY FOR LIFE! SKIP YORK MEMORIAL POKER RUN! UNITED WAY FUNDRAISER!

8 WANTED! (AS OF May 24)

9 MAY PHOTO COLLAGE

10 SOME GAVE ALL ALL GIVE SOME CHAPLAIN S CORNER In the month of May we stop to pay homage to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We make special efforts to remind the families of our departed comrades that we have not forgotten them or the price they paid on that fateful day. But there is another group, The All, who give as well. Let s look at that group - the guys in the garage who keep our vehicles on the road, the men and women in Information Technology who keep us connected, dispatchers who provide critical information to us in the accomplishment of our jobs. Whether it s the North, East, or Central Districts, the result is the same - men and women answering the call. Some rub elbows with evil. Some collect evidence while others catalog and store it until it is needed. Our courtroom security folks and screeners go about their daily tasks with the same level of excellence as deputies serving warrants to some remote address in the county. Yes, it takes The All to get it done. We enjoy many rights and privileges because of those who have answered the call: The Call to Serve and Protect. So we thank the men and women in green, and remember those who you don t see. When a deputy responds to a call, behind him or her are the mechanics, dispatchers, IT Specialists, Secretaries, HR Specialists, Janitors, Crime Stoppers, Equipment Issuers, Range Master, and many other hard workers. At our recent luncheon, Rev Broadus sang a song, May the Works I ve Done Speak for Me. To the men and women of Okaloosa County Sheriff s Office your works speak loud and clear. While it is most fitting to single out a time to thank you publicly don t forget that not a moment goes by when we don t need you and your team of experts. So when the moment comes and you wonder does anyone care? The answer is YES! OCSO Chaplain Larry Carter