Sheriff Rick Staly presented Flagler County Sheriff’s Office employees with honors during FCSO’s Third Quarter 2023 Awards Ceremony on November 14, 2023, at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Operations Center.
“I’m honored to lead an amazing organization that serves our community with passion and dedication and that is reflected in the awards presented during the ceremony,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Thank you to these employees for their bravery and commitment to protecting and serving Flagler County.”
Four employees received Employee of the Month recognition, while 14 others were recognized for reaching years of service milestones from five to 25 years of service.
LIFE SAVING AWARD – COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST FIRST CLASS MEGAN BURTON:
On July 9, 2023, Comm. Specialist First Class Megan Burton answered a call from a female advising her husband was mowing the grass and passed out. Megan immediately started asking pertinent questions regarding his condition and was able to determine that the patient was suffering from cardiac arrest and that CPR was necessary. The caller told Megan she didn’t know how to perform CPR and Megan explained to the caller she would walk her through it. Megan provided step-by-step CPR instructions and counted out loud with the caller through the compressions to ensure they were done at the proper speed. EMS arrived on scene and took over rescue efforts. While on scene, EMS advised the return of spontaneous circulation, and the patient made a full recovery. Megan’s quick assessment coupled with immediate CPR instructions saved this patient’s life.
LIFE SAVING AWARD – MASTER DEPUTY TREVOR YEOMAN AND DEPUTY KYLE MANKA:
On August 26th, 2023, Master Deputy Yeoman and Deputy Manka responded to a Palm Coast residence in reference to an adult female who was suffering overdose symptoms after consuming narcotics. MD Yeoman and Deputy Manka both deployed doses of Narcan via the female’s nostrils, resulting in her making a full recovery. Both deputies acted quickly and effectively, preventing loss of life.
LIFE SAVING AWARD – DEPUTY SHERIFF RICHARD DOSIO:
On July 15, 2023, Deputy Dosio responded to an unresponsive male at a Palm Coast residence. Upon arrival, the male was not breathing, and the subject’s father was attempting CPR. Deputy Dosio noticed the unconscious male had agonal respirations and immediately administered Narcan. Deputy Dosio repositioned the male from the bed to the floor and started to provide lifesaving CPR until Flagler County Fire Rescue arrived on scene. Fire Rescue continued to provide advanced life saving measures until the male was transported to the hospital.
LIFE SAVING AWARD – DEPUTY SHERIFF TYRIQUE HARPER:
On August 17, 2023, Deputy Harper responded to a Palm Coast residence in reference to a female who was possibly overdosing. Deputy Harper arrived and noticed a male administering CPR to an unconscious female who was lying on the ground. Deputy Harper quickly determined the female was not breathing and did not have a pulse. Deputy Harper administered his agency-issued Narcan and began live saving CPR measures. The unconscious female began to breath, at which point medical personnel arrived on scene and continued life saving measures.
LIFE SAVING AWARD – SERGEANT JON RECKENWALD AND DEPUTY SHERIFF CARL PARKER:
On July 29, 2023, Sgt. Reckenwald and Dep. Parker responded to a residence in Palm Coast in reference to an unresponsive elderly male. When they arrived on scene, they found a male sitting in a chair in a bedroom of the residence. The male was unresponsive and did not have a pulse. He was moved to the floor where Sgt. Reckenwald and Dep. Parker immediately began taking turns performing CPR until PCFD arrived on scene. A pulse was established, and the male was transported to the hospital for further medical treatment. If it were not for Sgt. Reckenwald and Dep. Parker’s swift and effective life-saving efforts, it is likely the male would have succumbed to this medical emergency.
LIFE SAVING AWARD – DEPUTY SHERIFF JOSHUA BARRETT AND ANGELICA QUIROGA-JOYA:
On July 27, 2023, Deputies responded to a Palm Coast residence in reference to a female who was overdosing after inhaling an unknown substance. Upon arrival, the female was found on the back patio unresponsive and not breathing. The paramedics arrived on scene and administered Narcan. The female began to breathe on her own and was transported to the hospital. Just a few hours later Deputy’s Barrett and Joya responded back to the residence in reference to the same female showing signs of an overdose. Upon arrival, the female was found in the bedroom not breathing. Both Deputies administered Narcan and began CPR until the female started to breathe on her own. The female was transported to the hospital and was expected to make a full recovery.
LIFE SAVING AWARD – DEPUTY FIRST CLASS RICHARD WALLIS:
On August 25, 2023, DFC Wallis was dispatched to Cracker Barrel in Palm Coast with regards to an unconscious male. Upon his arrival, DFC Deputy Wallis located the male unresponsive with agonal breathing. DFC Wallis requested a Rescue unit and began life saving measures. He identified that the male was possibly overdosing and administered one dose of agency-issued Narcan and continued with chest compressions until FCFR arrived on scene. The male became responsive and was transported to the hospital for further treatment.
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION – COMMUNICATION SUPERVISOR HEATHER ROBINSON:
On July 11, 2023, Communications had a major CAD upgrade that made a lot of changes to the individual templates used by dispatchers. When the CAD server came back up it was noticed only one template was able to input calls for service, which meant everyone’s templates needed to be re-built in a very fast manner. When Supervisor Robinson noticed the issue, she quickly offered to assist in building everyone’s templates so that when other employees reported for their shifts, they wouldn’t have issues logging on. This saved a lot of time for others and helped to reduce interruptions in workflow. Supervisor Robinson has consistently gone above and beyond her expected job duties as a Communication Supervisor to assist with overall team functioning in Dispatch.
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION – DEPUTY SHERIFF JOHN LANDI AND DEPUTY SHERIFF JEREMY CHAMBERS:
Both Deputy John Landi and Jeremy Chambers have been assisting the Community Engagement Unit with FCSO’s Women’s Self-Defense Program for over 10 years. Although not assigned to the Unit, they’ve assisted with instruction and demonstration to participants, especially during class #3 where they don a padded suit and allow participants to practice what they learned during previous sessions. To date, over 3,000 women have participated in the program and the program is overwhelmingly appreciated by the citizens of Flagler County.
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION – RESERVE DEPUTY KEVIN VER STRATEN:
Deputy Kevin Ver Straten joined the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office in 2018 as a Volunteer Reserve Deputy after retiring as a Sergeant with over 30 years of service from the Miami-Dade Police Department in various patrol, investigative, and tactical assignments. In total, he has volunteered over 500 hours of service to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Ver Straten has received numerous awards and commendations and has assisted the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit. He has contributed his time during holiday events and dedicated his professionalism to the agency in many ways, all while displaying excellence in performing his duties. Effective October 2023, Deputy Ver Straten announced that he is officially departing from the Reserve Program to focus on spending more time with his family.
CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION – DEPUTY SHERIFF MARK REXFORD:
On August 26, 2023, while conducting traffic enforcement on US1, Deputy Rexford observed several registration discrepancies on a vehicle. Upon sight of law enforcement, the vehicle parked at a residence attempting to hide. The driver had no affiliation with the residence he parked at and initially gave conflicting statements about his activities. Upon approaching the vehicle, the driver attempted to conceal Narcotics that were in plain view of Deputy Rexford. A TTY was sent to VCSO in reference to the tag attached to the vehicle and it was confirmed to be stolen. The driver was placed under arrest on several charges. He was further served with a Notice of Forfeiture for his vehicle and $3,331.00 in US Currency which was seized on scene.
CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION – COMMANDER JONATHAN DOPP; SERGEANT FRANKLIN GAMARRA, CORPORAL ANDREW CANGIALOSI, DEPUTY DAVID LICHTY, DEPUTY AARON BEAUSOLEIL:
On August 4, 2023, units arrived at a Flagler County residence to serve an Arrest Warrant. A surveillance team was assembled comprised of Flagler, Putnam, & St. John’s County Sheriff’s Office deputies. While conducting surveillance, a pick-up truck left the residence, with at least two occupants. Responding units began setting a rolling perimeter to stop the vehicle, believed to be harboring a wanted felon. Upon activating emergency lights and sirens, the vehicle began to flee from law enforcement. The vehicle pulled back onto another property, which was contained with a set perimeter. An FCSO REACT team approached the residence on foot. A wooden shed, two vehicles, and a trailer were located on the property. After announcements were made, the owner and resident of the trailer both surrendered to law enforcement as the other individual had an active Arrest Warrant. Units continued their search and were alerted to a suspect in the wood line, who ultimately crawled out to deputies and was arrested. During the investigation, the team came together, overcoming a difficult environment to capture a dangerous and wanted felon.
CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION – DEPUTY SHERIFF CHRISTIAN HARRISON:
On August 20th, 2023, Deputy Harrison conducted a traffic stop on a motorcycle. During a probable cause search, 32.6 grams of methamphetamine, 2.6 grams of heroin, hashish, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia were located. Ultimately, the operator of the motorcycle was placed under arrest for several drug charges. The passenger of the motorcycle was also placed under arrest for trafficking methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession of heroin, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION – MASTER DEPUTY TREVOR YEOMAN:
On July 15, 2023, while investigating a 911 misdial, Master Deputy Yeoman spotted a suspicious vehicle parked in the back corner of a parking lot. Upon closer inspection, MD Yeoman identified the vehicle’s windows were fogged up and there was movement in the rear passenger compartment. MD Yeoman knocked on the rear window, and shortly thereafter, a male emerged and identified himself. He was wearing only basketball shorts and was visibly sweating and breathing heavily. MD Yeoman peered further into the vehicle and observed a young female in the fetal position on the rear passenger floorboard. The female was identified as a 15-year-old Palm Coast resident. After conducting in-depth interviews with both subjects, they both independently confirmed they were having sexual relations in the vehicle when MD Yeoman arrived. The 15-year-old female’s mother arrived on scene shortly thereafter and wished to pursue criminal charges against the male. The male was placed under arrest for Lewd and Lascivious Battery against a victim between the ages of 12 -16. MD Yeoman conducted a thorough criminal investigation into a serious felony offense. MD Yeoman used his training and experience to properly investigate this case and establish probable cause without the need for extra investigative resources.
CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION – COMMANDERS – BRIAN FINN AND JONATHAN DOPP, SERGEANTS – PAUL DESOUSA, DAVID EDMONDS, TREVOR JACOB, PAUL KANDOUR, SHANE MEEHAN, JAMES MILEY, DANIEL PARTHEMORE, CORPORALS – JOSEPH BARNETT, ANDREW CANGIALOSI, JOSEPH DAILEY, ARTHUR HORLER. BENJAMIN JUREC, WILLIAM LOWE, CRAIG ROSSI, J. GIBSON SMITH, MASTER DEPUTIES – EDWARD FAIRCLOTH, BRYAN JACKSON, CRISTA RAINEY, NANCY MALHEIROS, MIKE SPINELLI, BRAD STOGDON, DETECTIVE FIRST CLASS – ADAM GOSSETT, JOSEPH O’BARR, DETECTIVE – BRYAN DENKER. DEPUTY FIRST CLASS – NICHOLAS CHAMPION. CHRISTOPHER CREGO, DEPUTY SHERIFF’S – RALPH LILAVOIS, JASON WILLIAMS, ADAM BERGMAN, SAMUEL COOPER, THOMAS DOUGLAS, JOHN LANDI, DENNIS KING, ROBIN TOWNS, BLAKE COLSON, DEREK LOGSDON, STEVE PIERRE, MICHAEL LANE, AARON CLAY, JONATHAN ZALAK, KYLE SOMERS, RTCC SUPERVISOR NIKKI NORTH, CRIME ANALYSTS VICTORIA HANLIN AND TARA COLEMAN:
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office employees from numerous Divisions came together, combining their knowledge and experience to assist with the planning and mapping of locations throughout Flagler County where large groups of individuals congregate. These areas could be susceptible to a mass casualty incident. They include but are not limited to schools, churches, and government buildings. The process of planning and mapping these locations was a big undertaking, which took a great amount of time, energy, and consideration. In the event of a mass casualty incident, time is crucial to saving lives. Having these locations proactively mapped out with hot, warm, and cold zones, with designated locations for perimeter units, traffic control, and staging areas, will aid in reducing time spent determining where units and resources are needed. Although we hope to never have to utilize this resource, having it available will prove to be an invaluable resource in the event it is ever needed.
CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION – MASTER DEPUTY KYLE GADDIE, DEPUTY SHERIFF’S DOMINIC QUINTIERI AND VINCENT MISTRETTA:
On September 15, 2023, Units responded to a call of a burglary at a home under construction. The reporting party, who did not request law enforcement contact, stated a male entered the home and removed a roll of yellow electrical wire from the residence. Units deployed into the area and began to canvass for the suspect. While canvassing for witnesses, Deputies found the original reporting party and a residence that featured surveillance cameras affixed to the exterior of their homes. That surveillance video was collected and using the captured images, Deputies identified a potential suspect. Deputies approached the suspect’s residence as he was opening his garage door. While questioning him, Deputies observed yellow electrical wire on his BBQ grill (the same wire described as being stolen). The suspect admitted to stealing the wire. The witness was contacted and agreed to a show-up and ultimately identified the suspect. Where others may have been satisfied with simply closing the call out, these deputies used every investigative technique at their disposal to identify, locate, and capture the suspect quickly after he had committed a burglary and theft.
CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION: MASTER DEPUTY KYLE GADDIE AND DEPUTY SHERIFF’S JONATHAN KUSEK AND NICHOLAS HUZIOR:
On September 21, 2023, units responded to a Palm Coast home in reference to an assist other agency. Deputies coordinated with Flagler County Probation in reference to this address being a known problematic house containing two probationers. In conjunction with Flagler County Probation, Deputies conducted a probation check of the rooms within the property, and narcotics and paraphernalia were located. Deputies contacted the Special Investigations Unit to ascertain a search warrant. This residence was known as a house used for the use and sale of narcotics and is typically occupied by repeat offenders and felons. After the execution of the search warrant, 30.97 Grams of Methamphetamine, 5.56 Grams of Marijuana, and 1.43 Grams of Fentanyl were seized as well as drug paraphernalia. Three arrests were made in reference to Violation of Probation, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Paraphernalia. All Deputies involved went above and beyond to provide excellent service to the community in this case.
UNIT CITATION –MASTER DEPUTY TREVOR YEOMAN, DEPUTY FIRST CLASS PHILIP KOTOWSKI AND LAURA JENKINS, DEPUTY SHERIFF’S SCOTT BAGWELL AND BRENDON TORRES:
On August 21st, 2023, a concerned citizen contacted the FCSO’s Communications Section and advised he located a 4-year-old child wearing Batman pajamas in the middle of a roadway. The caller advised the child was nearly struck by a vehicle. Deputies arrived on scene and took temporary custody of the child. The child was able to articulate where he and his father live. Deputies led the child to the home and the child was able to point to his father’s vehicle. Deputies attempted to contact the gentleman at the home by knocking loudly for several minutes, but they received no answer at the door. Eventually, he was able to be contacted via telephone and came outside to speak with Deputies. He claimed he is a “heavy sleeper” and did not hear the knocking. He also advised he leaves the front door to the apartment unlocked at night, even though his child has a history of leaving the apartment unaccompanied. He was placed under arrest for Child Neglect for failing to provide his 4-year-old child with proper supervision, leading to the child nearly being struck by a vehicle on a major roadway. Deputies used their investigative resources with the assistance of the small child to locate the child’s home and locate his guardian.
UNIT CITATION – CHIEF DAVID WILLIAMS, COMMANDER KENNY GONCALVES, SERGEANTS GEORGE HRISTAKOPOULOS, JON RECKENWALD, DANIEL WEAVER, AND JACOB WEST; CORPORALS JOSEPH DAILEY, ARTHUR HORLER AND MICHAEL BRECKWOLDT; MASTER DETECTIVES DANIEL MALTA, DARRELL BUTLER AND JAMES CROSBEE, DETECTIVE FIRST CLASS KATHRYN GORDON, DETECTIVES LAUREN BROOMFIELD AND STACY SANTOS; MASTER DEPUTIES MARCUS DAWSON AND CRISTA RAINEY, DEPUTY FIRST CLASS NICHOLAS CHAMPION; DEPUTY SHERIFF’S ANTHONY BIFANO AND THOMAS DOUGLAS, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR CHRISTINA MORTIMER, COMMUNICATIONS SUPERVISORS GENICE CACCAVALE AND JAY ALDRIDGE, COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST FIRST CLASS STEPHEN WATKINS, RTCC SUPERVISOR NICHOLE NORTH, RTCC ANALYST VICTORIA HANLIN, SENIOR PAO AVA HANNER:
On July 14th, Dispatch received a call from a Palm Coast residence in reference to a male abducting two children. The suspect was the biological father of the children but had no rights to custody nor permission to take the children on this day. The suspect knocked the children’s grandfather to the ground and forcibly removed them from the residence, put them inside his van, and drove off with them. Communications entered known information into the call and continued to take new information as it came in. The RTCC was activated to start tracking the vehicle and road units were dispatched to BOLO for the vehicle. Major Case Detectives worked on obtaining a warrant to ping the suspect’s phone for location information. The phone ping was granted, and the vehicle was located. Other FCSO employees worked on confirming what the appropriate charges should be and attempted to get additional units to assist with a traffic stop if warranted. The suspect continued traveling through St. John’s County and into Duval County. Visual contact with the vehicle was maintained as LE agencies in St John’s County, Duval County, Nassau County, FHP, and Georgia were notified of the incident. Additionally, the RTCC was still tracking the vehicle via cameras along the way. Baker and Clay County Sheriff’s Offices were also notified as the vehicle continued to travel. Approval was granted to transmit an Amber Alert and the vehicle was ultimately located and stopped. The suspect was taken into custody and the two children were present and safe.
UNIT CITATION – COMMANDER JONATHAN DOPP, SERGEANT PAUL KANDOUR, DETECTIVE FIRST CLASS ADAM GOSSETT, DETECTIVE BRYAN DENKER; MASTER DEPUTY’S MARCUS DAWSON, EDWARD FAIRCLOTH, MIKE SPINELLI, JEFF TURNER, AND BRYAN JACKSON, DEPUTY SHERIFF’S ROBIN TOWNS, RICHARD STANFORD, MICHAEL LANE, DEREK LOGSDON, AND KYLE SOMERS:
On August 30th, 2023, members of the Emergency Response Team were activated to deploy to Suwannee County to assist with storm response and recovery efforts after Hurricane Idalia. The Team responded within 24 hours of the storm’s impact. Initially, a ten-person team deployed to the area, set up camp, and began assisting with storm debris removal, roadway clearing, and damage assessments. Working long hours in dangerous conditions, deputies managed the traffic flow and security operations at local food service points and points of supply distribution. Cut teams helped clear impassable roadways and allowed access to areas of the community previously unreachable, allowing for food, water, and supplies to be delivered. While responding to the needs of Suwannee County, this team performed additional security and traffic control tasks related to the visits of Governor Ron DeSantis and US President Joe Biden. Additionally, Commander Dopp is to be specifically recognized for his leadership skills. Commander Dopp, along with the team leaders from Okaloosa County SO, were charged with overall operational command regarding missions being run throughout Suwannee County. This is in no small part due to his efforts to study, train, and improve his ability to lead the Emergency Response Team.
UNIT CITATION – COMMUNICATION SUPERVISOR HEATHER ROBINSON, COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST FIRST CLASS DANIELLE BROWN AND MEGAN BURTON, COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST LINDSEY STANFORD:
On September 2, 2023, Dispatch answered a 911 call from a caller advising a male on scene, not breathing and turning blue. Dispatchers immediately started CPR instructions to the caller. It was determined by the caller the patient had a Trach; at which time Dispatchers continued providing appropriate CPR instructions. Rescue arrived on scene and advised CPR was in progress and taken over by EMS. Rescue advised the patient had a pulse and was transported to the hospital. While on-scene, the caller communicated to Rescue that if it wasn’t for the 9-1-1 operator’s CPR instructions, the patient would not be alive.
UNIT CITATION – CHIEF’S MARK STROBRIDGE, JONATHAN WELKER, DAVID WILLIAMS, COMMANDER’S PHILIP REYNOLDS, SCOTT VEDDER, JOSEPH BARILE, SCOTT BENDER, MICHAEL LUTZ AND BRIAN FINN, SERGEANT’S PAUL KANDOUR, GABE FUENTES AND ROBERT TARCZEWSKI, CORPORAL J. GIBSON SMITH, DETECTIVE FIRST CLASS JOSEPH O’BARR, DETECTIVE BRYAN DENKER, DEPUTY FIRST CLASS JASON PATEL, NICHOLAS CHAMPION AND PARTNER NITRO, DEPUTY SHERIFF’S CHRISTIAN HARRISON, ANGELICA QUIROGA-JOYA, CARL PARKER AND KYLE MANKA, C.O.P.’S TERRY POTTER AND BRIAN ROSEN, SENIOR PAO AVA HANNER:
On August 23rd, 2023, the FCSO was advised by a resident while cleaning out the residence of a Palm Coast home, she came across a metal trunk. The reporting party stated approximately 18 years ago, a subject showed her two live hand grenades which he kept locked in the trunk. She believed live grenades were still present within the trunk. Due to the statements made, FCSO began a bomb response. Detectives coordinated with SJSO Bomb Squad to respond, and the ATF Bomb Tech for the region to respond to the scene. Scene security was handled by the Community Policing Division. Public Affairs handled updates to community members. Detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence, and multiple units contained the area. The trunk was locked, and forceful entry was made. Thankfully, no explosives were located, only ammunition and silver bullion. SJSO Bomb techs and Detectives conducted a cursory search of the residence in case any other explosives were located and only ammunition and other firearm-related accessories were located. After no explosives were found, FCSO and SJSO conducted a search of the residence and did not locate grenades, explosive compounds, or destructive device parts inside of the residence.
EMPLOYEE OF MONTH 3RD QUARTER:
JULY – Communication Specialist First Class Megan Burton
AUGUST – Deputy Sheriff Christian Harrison
SEPTEMBER – Sergeant Jon Reckenwald and Deputy Sheriff Carl Parker
Years of Service –
5 – Kevin Ver Straten, Sierra Held, Jeffrey Meyer, Steve Pierre, Danielle Boyer, Stephanie Mayberry
10 – George Hristakopoulos, Robert Myers, Bryan Jackson, Amanda Priemer
20 – Shannon Sandberg, Michael Lutz, Jennifer Prevatt
25 – George Lilly
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