BUNNELL, FL – Deputies who rescued a driver from a crashed, burning vehicle, a deputy who responded to an overdosing driver who crashed, and dispatchers who provided CPR instructions successfully saving lives, are among those honored during FCSO’s First Quarter 2023 Awards Ceremony on April 25, 2023, at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Operations Center.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly awarded several Lifesaving Awards to employees for their roles in saving the lives of others within the last three months. Sheriff Staly also awarded Certificates of Commendation, Certificates of Appreciation, and Unit Citations as part of the ceremony.
“I get to lead an amazing time that serves our community with passion and dedication and that is reflected in the award ceremony,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Thank you to these employees for their bravery and commitment to protecting and serving Flagler County. “Their selfless dedication to protecting our community is truly appreciated and in keeping with the highest traditions of law enforcement service.”
Three employees received Employee of the Month recognition, while 17 others were recognized for reaching years of service milestones from five to 25 years of service.
Below is a summary of each award winner and why they received an award.
OUTSTANDING PARTNER AWARD – PRESENTED BY THE BUNNELL POLICE DEPARTMENT:
Chief of Police, David Brannon, will be presenting Sheriff Staly and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office with a specialty plaque for being an Outstanding Partner of the Bunnell Police Department over the past year.
LIFE SAVING AWARD – CORPORAL JOSEPH BARNETT AND DEPUTY SHERIFF STEVE PIERRE:
On February 12, 2023, Corporal Barnett located a traffic crash on SR 100 in Palm Coast. The vehicle struck the rear of a semi-trailer that was attempting to make a U-turn on SR 100. The passenger of the vehicle was out of the car and laying in the middle of the road. The driver was trapped and unconscious inside the vehicle in the driver’s seat. Corporal Barnett noticed flames coming from the front engine of the vehicle. He used his agency-issued fire extinguisher to reduce the fire. Deputy Sheriff Pierre was able to extract the driver from the vehicle before the fire could start up again. The driver and passenger were transported to the hospital for further medical treatment.
LIFE SAVING AWARD – BEING PRESENTED BY THE SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ABOVE LIFE SAVING AWARD):
Compatriot Charlie Hayes with the Sons of the American Revolution will be presenting Corporal Joseph Barnett and Deputy Sheriff Steve Pierre with Life Saving Medals.
LIFE SAVING AWARD – DEPUTY FIRST CLASS CHRISTOPHER CREGO AND DEPUTY SHERIFF TALOR MORGANTE:
On March 16, 2023, Deputies responded to a park in Palm Coast regarding an unconscious person. Upon arrival, a male was observed in a vehicle and Deputies worked together to remove him from the vehicle. Deputies identified the male was possibly overdosing and administered two (2) doses of Narcan. At first, the male did not respond to the dosage and both deputies administered CPR for approximately 45 seconds before he ultimately began to recover.
LIFE SAVING AWARD – COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST LINDSEY STANFORD:
On March 18, 2023, CS Stanford answered a 911 call from a mother reporting her three-month-old newborn was not breathing. She immediately confirmed the address and started pre-arrival questions and instructions. She kept the mother calm and focused on performing CPR. The infant’s airway was cleared, the child started breathing, and ultimately made a recovery.
LIFE SAVING AWARD – DEPUTY SHERIFF TYLER SPINA:
On March 21, 2023, Deputy Spina responded to a home in Bunnell in reference to an unresponsive female. Upon arrival, Deputy Spina immediately started lifesaving CPR until Flagler County Fire Rescue arrived on scene. Rescue continued CPR and provided additional life saving measures. The female was transported to Advent Hospital for further medical treatment.
LIFE SAVING AWARD – CORPORAL J. GIBSON SMITH:
On March 18, 2023, Corporal Smith responded to a home in Palm Coast in reference to a possible overdose. Upon arrival, he observed a male that was not breathing. Corporal Smith immediately administered one dose of Narcan. Shortly after, the male regained consciousness and was transported to Advent Health by Rescue for further medical treatment.
LIFE SAVING AWARD – DEPUTY SHERIFF JOSEPH OLIVA:
On February 28, 2023, Deputy Oliva observed a vehicle fire on I-95 at the Old Kings Road overpass. The vehicle owner was outside the vehicle attempting to save his boat. Deputy Oliva gave the vehicle owner commands to get away from the burning vehicle which began to make explosive-type sounds. The vehicle owner, unfortunately, passed out from apparent smoke inhalation. While the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames, Deputy Oliva was able to move the vehicle owner to safety where he received medical aid. He was transported to the hospital for further medical treatment.
LIFE SAVING AWARD – DEPUTY SHERIFF MAXWELL DORSEY:
On March 18, 2023, Deputy Dorsey responded to a Palm Coast home in reference to an unresponsive female. Upon arrival, he immediately deployed Narcan and the female regained consciousness. She was transported to the hospital via Rescue for further medical treatment.
LIFE SAVING AWARD – DEPUTY SHERIFF ROBERT FINN:
On March 18, 2023, Deputy Finn responded to a home in Palm Coast in reference to a possible overdose. While en route, the reporting party expressed a male was not breathing and overdosed on an unknown narcotic. Upon arrival, Deputy Finn administered one dose of Narcan. Shortly after, the male regained consciousness but ultimately refused medical transport.
LIFE SAVING AWARD – MASTER DEPUTY SHERIFF BRAD STOGDON:
On January 30, 2023, Master Deputy Stogdon observed a reckless driver pass him while operating his marked patrol vehicle. Soon after passing, the vehicle crashed into the rear end of another vehicle. Master Deputy Stogdon activated his emergency equipment and pulled off to the shoulder to render aid to those involved in the crash. The driver of the reckless vehicle was unresponsive, with signs of a potential overdose. Master Deputy Stogdon gained access to the vehicle by breaching a rear window, where he provided emergency medical aid. Narcan was administered and CPR was started. EMS units arrived and continued to provide medical aid. The subject became responsive and was transported to the hospital.
LIFE SAVING AWARD – DEPUTY SHERIFFS BRANDEN HARTLEY, NICHOLAS HUZIOR, AND JAKE SANDERS:
On February 5, 2023, Deputies responded to a home in Palm Coast in reference to a 911 hang-up that sounded suspicious. Upon arrival, they located a female in the back of a vehicle who was not breathing from an alleged overdose. Together, deputies removed the female from the vehicle and gave her two doses of Narcan. The deputies performed CPR until she began to breathe on her own. The female was transported to the hospital for further medical treatment.
LIFE SAVING AWARD – DEPUTY SHERIFF LAURA JENKINS:
On March 2, 2023, Deputy Jenkins responded to a Palm Coast home in reference to a possible overdose. Upon arrival, she immediately administered one dose of Narcan and began life-saving CPR efforts until medics arrived. The male ultimately regained consciousness but refused further medical treatment.
LIFE SAVING AWARD – DEPUTY SHERIFF ANTHONY CUTHBERT:
On March 2, 2023, Deputy Cuthbert responded to a Bunnell home in reference to an unresponsive male. Upon arrival, he administered one dose of Narcan and began life-saving efforts until medics arrived. The male ultimately became responsive and was transported to the hospital for further medical treatment.
LIFE SAVING AWARD – DEPUTY SHERIFF JAKE FOWLER:
On March 5, 2023, Deputy Fowler responded to a Palm Coast home in reference to a female that was found by a family member not breathing. Deputy Fowler was the first to arrive on scene and immediately began CPR efforts until paramedics arrived. He continued to assist paramedics and the female ultimately regained a pulse. She was transported to the hospital for further medical treatment.
LIFE SAVING AWARD – DEPUTY SHERIFF STACY ROSADO:
On March 5, 2023, Deputy Rosado responded to a Palm Coast home in reference to an unresponsive male. Upon arrival, she administered one dose of Narcan until medics arrived. The male ultimately became responsive but declined further medical treatment.
LIFE SAVING AWARD – COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST JOSEPH ESPOSITO:
On March 5, 2023, Communications Specialist Joseph Esposito answered a 9-1-1 call advising a family member who recently underwent surgery was not breathing. CS Esposito provided CPR instructions to the family who were on scene. To ensure compressions were administered at the proper rate, CS Esposito helped them count out loud. CS Esposito stayed on the line to ensure proper CPR was administered until medics arrived on scene. The patient was transported to the hospital, and it was noted that when the subject arrived, she had a pulse.
LIFE SAVING AWARD – MASTER DEPUTY SHERIFF EDWARD FAIRCLOTH AND DEPUTY SHERIFF TROY MAGNUSON:
On Monday, January 24, 2023, Deputies responded to a Palm Coast home in reference to a possible overdose. Upon arrival, they observed an unresponsive female on the floor, with blue lips and fingertips, and a syringe in her right hand. Deputy Magnuson was unable to identify if there was a pulse present, so he administered Nasal Narcan and began CPR. A second dose of Narcan was administered, but due to the female’s condition remaining dire, a third dose was administered by Master Deputy Faircloth. After some time, the female became responsive and was ultimately revived. She was then transported to the hospital for further medical treatment.
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION – NURSE JOLEEN JACKSON AND NURSE CARLA SMITH:
On January 22, 2023, a Code White was called in the Detention Facility’s medical housing in reference to an inmate attempting to commit suicide. Once the scene was deemed safe and secure, the nursing staff was able to respond and render aid to the individual.
PART OF THE SAME INCIDENT ABOVE – LIFE SAVING AWARD – SERGEANT NATHAN HOCKENBERRY, CORPORAL PETER DESCARTES AND DETENTION DEPUTY IAN CHRISTENSEN:
On January 22, 2023, a Code White was called in the Detention Facility’s medical housing in reference to an inmate attempting to commit suicide by suffocation/hanging. Deputies responded and were able to pick the inmate up to relieve pressure, cut the sheet and render aid. EMS was ultimately dispatched to the Detention Center and the inmate was transported via ambulance to the hospital for further medical treatment.
UNIT CITATION – CHIEF OF STAFF MARK STROBRIDGE, COMMUNITY POLICING DIVISION CHIEF JONATHAN WELKER, COMMANDERS GLENN DAVIS, RYAN EMERY, BRIAN FINN, AND KENNY GONCALVES, SERGEANTS FRANKLIN GAMARRA, JAMES MILEY, JON RECKENWALD, AND AGUSTIN RODRIGUEZ, CORPORALS SAMUEL BELL, JOSEPH BARNETT, ANDREW CANGIALOSI, ARTHUR HORLER, AND WILLIAM LOWE, DETECTIVES BRYAN DENKER, JOSEPH O’BARR, MATTHEW RIDEN, AND JORDAN ST. JOHN, MASTER DEPUTIES CRISTA RAINEY AND JEFF TURNER, DEPUTY FIRST CLASS CHRISTOPHER CREGO AND MARCUS DAWSON, DEPUTY SHERIFFS JOSHUA BARRETT, BRYAN CARTER, JAXON DORSEY, MAXWELL DORSEY, TYRIQUE HARPER, JONATHON JECKOVICH, DAVID JOHNSON, DAVID LICHTY, CHRISTOPHER NGUYEN, CARL PARKER, JASON PRATHER, CAMERON PUNSKY, KEATON RAY, KYLE SOMERS, CALEB TASSY, ALEXANDER WOLFE, BEHAVIORAL RESPONSE SPECIALIST TERESA SHAW, CRIME ANALYST TARA COLEMAN, SWAT MEDIC’S ROBERT BALLOU, AND MARK ANDREW THOMAS, COMMUNICATION SUPERVISOR LISA NESBITT, COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST FIRST CLASS SARAH GAMMON, ASHLIE HICKS, STEPHANIE MAYBERRY, AND STEPHEN WATKINS, COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST’S ASTASIA GRUM, GEORGE LILLY, AND LUCAS SANTOS:
On February 11, 2023, FCSO personnel responded to a Palm Coast residence in reference to a male who reportedly shot a firearm into a residence. An occupant was inside the residence, just feet from the trajectory of the bullet. The male appeared to be having a psychotic episode believed to have been brought on by drug use. Members of CPD quickly surrounded the residence, removed the occupant to a safe location, and contained the male to the property. Teams responded to the residence after the male was heard by perimeter units firing his weapon inside the residence and he barricaded himself within the home. Members of the Communications division made phone notifications to surrounding neighbors and constantly updated the CAD system, all while monitoring radio traffic for the large number of personnel on scene. The male ultimately was taken into custody without harming members of the community, law enforcement, or himself. Other teams then responded to process the scene after obtaining a residential search warrant.
UNIT CITATION – COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST FIRST CLASS DANIELLE BROWN, DEPUTY FIRST CLASS DOMINIC QUINTIERI, DEPUTY SHERIFF’S ROBERT FINN, KYLE GADDIE, CHRISTIAN HARRISON, JOHN HILL, DEREK LOGSDON, NECOLE MARSAN, JAKE SANDERS, JONATHAN SCHMIDT, AND RYAN WILKINSON:
On December 28, 2022, units were alerted to a vehicle with a stolen license plate out of Osceola County. The vehicle was located and stop sticks were deployed, deflating two of its tires. A traffic stop was attempted, but the vehicle fled. The vehicle was followed until it became disabled on I95. A high-risk traffic stop was conducted without incident. In addition to a second stolen tag from out of state, thirteen catalytic converters were in the trunk along with tools utilized to steal catalytic converters as well as face coverings and gloves. The driver and passenger of the vehicle were both placed under arrest on numerous charges ranging from reckless driving and grand theft.
UNIT CITATION (FEATURED IMAGE)– CHIEF JONATHAN WELKER, COMMANDERS KENNY GONCALVES, SCOTT VEDDER, SERGEANTS ADAM BISS, JON RECKENWALD, AGUSTIN RODRIGUEZ, CORPORALS JOSEPH BARNETT, TROY CAVAS, DEPUTY SHERIFFS AARON BEAUSOLEIL, BRYAN CARTER, TYRIQUE HARPER, JONATHON JECKOVICH, LAURA JENKINS, KYLE MANKA, STEVE PIERRE, KEATON RAY, KYLE SOMERS, TYLER SPINA, COMMUNICATIONS SUPERVISORS GENICE CACCAVALE, LISA NESBITT, COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST FIRST CLASS STEPHEN WATKINS, SARAH GAMMON, COMMUNICATION SPECIALISTS LEAH RUSS, LUCAS SANTOS, CRIME ANALYSTS TARA COLEMAN, VICTORIA HANLIN, HAYDEN ORE, BEHAVIORAL RESPONSE SPECIALIST TERESA SHAW:
On March 7, 2023, a Dodge Ram Pickup truck was observed and upon running the tag, it showed it was assigned to a Jeep Cherokee. A traffic stop was attempted, and the vehicle fled. Another Deputy anticipated the vehicle’s route of travel and deployed Stop Sticks. The deployment was successful and disabled three of the tires. The suspect exited the driver’s door and fled on foot. Upon further inspection of the tag, it was confirmed the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Miami. A perimeter was established by multiple CPD Deputies with the assistance of Communications personnel and RTCC analysts. A K9 track was initiated to locate the suspect. During the K9 track, a black backpack and two handguns were located in the area where the suspect fled. A short time later, the suspect was located, and a full confession was obtained.
UNIT CITATION – COMMANDERS JOSEPH BARILE, BERNIE WOODWARD, SERGEANTS ADAM BISS, JACOB WEST, ROBERT TARCZEWSKI, GEORGE HRISTAKOPOULOS, DANIEL WEAVER, CORPORALS JOSEPH BARNETT, TROY CAVAS, ARTHUR HORLER, AND CRAIG ROSSI, DETECTIVES AUSTIN DALRYMPLE, BRYAN DENKER, ADAM GOSSETT, MATTHEW RIDEN, MASTER DEPUTY SHERIFF DANIEL MALTA, DEPUTY FIRST CLASS MARCUS DAWSON & BRYAN JACKSON, DEPUTY SHERIFF’S JOSHUA BARRETT, AARON BEAUSOLEIL, ANTHONY BIFANO, LAUREN BROOMFIELD, JEREMY CHAMBERS, BLAKE COLSON, ALICIA COWAN, BRYAN CARTER, THOMAS DOUGLAS, LAURA JENKINS, DAVID JOHNSON, TROY MAGNUSON, JASON PRATHER, KEATON RAY, & STEVE PIERRE, CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATOR’S ELAINE EDWARDS AND GABRIELLA MASSA, RTCC SUPERVISOR NIKKI NORTH, CRIME ANALYSTS VICTORIA HANLIN, HAYDEN ORE, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS CHRISTINA MORTIMER, COMMUNICATIONS SUPERVISOR GENICE CACCAVALE, COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST FIRST CLASS SARAH GAMMON, LAINIE RITTENOUR, COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST ASTASIA GRUM AND GEORGE LILLY:
On January 10, 2023, BRAVO Squad was dispatched to a shooting call where a subject shot multiple rounds at a home and vehicle prior to fleeing the area. All personnel involved utilized their training, tactics, and investigative skills to identify and ultimately locate the shooter in less than one hour. Responding deputies, in collaboration with the Real Time Crime Center, located and executed a high-risk traffic stop and took the suspect into custody without incident. The suspect’s vehicle contained a semi-automatic pistol, live ammunition, spent shell casings, and clothing identified as being worn during the shooting.
UNIT CITATION – COMMANDER BRIAN FINN, SERGEANTS DAVID EDMONDS, AND ROBERT TARCZEWSKI, CORPORALS WILLIAM LOWE AND J. GIBSON SMITH, DEPUTY FIRST CLASS DOMINIC QUINTIERI, DEPUTY SHERIFF CHRISTOPHER NGUYEN, AND K9 ODIN:
On March 18, 2023, units responded to a Palm Coast home in reference to a domestic disturbance. A 10-year-old child dialed 911 reporting his father punched his mother, and she was bleeding. Upon arrival of law enforcement, the victim reported the male suspect fled on foot. A perimeter was established. An agency-issued Forward Looking InfraRed was utilized, and the suspect’s wallet was located near the wood line. K9 responded along with a drone. The drone was utilized to search the immediate area. During this time, the drone pilot directed K9 to heat signatures in a wooded lot. The drone located the male hiding in the back yard of a residence two streets north of the incident location. The drone pilot directed K9 to this area where the male was secured without incident.
UNIT CITATION – DEPUTY FIRST CLASS NICHOLAS CHAMPION, DEPUTY SHERIFFS AARON BEAUSOLEIL, JAKE FOWLER, BRANDEN HARTLEY, CHRISTIAN HARRISON, DENNIS KING, JONATHON KUSEK, JOHN LANDI, CHRISTOPHER NGUYEN AND MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST MEGAN IONADI:
On January 19, 2023, units responded to a Palm Coast home in reference to a missing juvenile. The caller stated that their 16-year-old son ran away and thinks he might be on his way to Holland Park to fight someone. During the investigation, it was discovered by the Behavioral Response Unit that two handguns and cash were missing from the residence. It was further discovered the juvenile was making threats to use the handguns during the fight. Units located the juvenile who ultimately admitted to stealing guns and making threats to shoot other juveniles. The juvenile was arrested for grand theft, grand theft of a firearm, and written threats to kill.
CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION – COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST FIRST CLASS LAINIE RITTENOUR:
On March 11, 2023, CSFC Lainie Rittenour received a 9-1-1 call that started as an automated message from an Apple watch advising that the watch responding. She kept the line open, and after some time she heard background noise. After some silence, she heard yelling and possibly a disturbance. She continued to try to get someone on the line while documenting everything she was hearing. After a few minutes, the line went silent. The phone number that dialed 911 was a 911 phone number only, which means it is not a serviceable phone. After the line went silent, she kept the line open to communicate with responding units. When units arrived at the addresses provided by the geo-location, they confirmed there was a disturbance and requested a medical unit. Although it is required to stay landline on a 9-1-1 call for two minutes to observe for signs of distress, CSFS Rittenour kept the line open for an extended period after the line went silent to be sure to listen for any further updates. Additionally, using her resources, she was able to get information about the caller to assist, which helped deputies during their investigation.
CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION – DEPUTY SHERIFFS DEREK LOGSDON & JOSEPH OLIVA:
On March 5, 2023, Deputies responded to a Palm Coast home in reference to a suicide attempt. While en route, it was determined that a female was at the residence and told her boyfriend by phone she was going to hang herself. Deputies arrived on scene and observed a female hanging by a rope in a doorway of the residence. The female did not have a pulse. Deputies used a knife to cut the rope and assisted her to the ground. The rope was removed, and Deputies began performing CPR until medics arrived. The female was transported to the hospital where she received further medical treatment.
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION – MASTER DEPUTY NANCY MALHEIROS:
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office 2022 Shop With a Cop event was the largest to date. The agency shopped with 150 children from throughout Flagler County. Master Deputy Nancy Malheiros was very instrumental in the organization of the event. She collected all of the submissions and paired them with shoppers from the agency. Shoppers from the agency came from all divisions and units within the agency so the pairing process was tedious. Master Deputy Nancy Malheiros made a significant contribution to the success of the agency’s 2022 Shop With a Cop event.
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION – PAL COORDINATOR KERRI HENDERSON:
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office 2022 Shop With a Cop event was the largest to date. The agency shopped with 150 children from throughout Flagler County. The first part of the event consists of games and activities with the children and the deputies who are shopping with them. These activities were held at the new Sheriff’s Operations Center. All of the games and activities were developed and coordinated by PAL Coordinator Kerri Henderson. Without her enormous efforts, there would have been no activities at the Operations Center to kick off the event. PAL Coordinator Kerri Henderson’s significant contribution to the agency significantly contributed to the success of the event this year.
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION – DEPUTY SHERIFF LAURA JENKINS:
In February of 2023, Deputy Jenkins became aware of a Palm Coast man that ordered a birthday cake for his wife prior to him having surgery. He requested to settle the bill so his wife would not be burdened with it, should he not survive the surgery. The shop owner documented the encounter on her social media platform, and it became viral, receiving over 5.5M views. Deputy Jenkins contacted the gentleman and learned he thankfully survived the surgery and planned on picking up the cake on March 11th. She purchased some gifts for him and his wife and organized for herself and several members of Alpha Squad to greet them upon arrival to pick up the cake. Deputies enjoyed listening to the stories of his former career as a Deputy Sheriff in California. Deputy Jenkins displayed outstanding character with this self-initiated act of kindness.
EMPLOYEE OF MONTH 1ST QUARTER:
JANUARY – Corporal Peter Descartes
FEBRUARY – Deputy Sheriff Joseph Oliva
MARCH – Communication Specialist First Class Lainie Rittenour
YEARS OF SERVICE –
5 – Detective Jayd Capela, Deputy Sheriff Bryan Carter, Detective Bryan Denker, Detective Adam Gossett, Deputy Sheriff Laura Jenkins, Deputy Sheriff Joshua Long, RTCC Supervisor Nikki North, Detective Shannon Smith, Deputy Sheriff William Kennedy
10 – Chaplain Ed Reistetter
15 – Director of Communications Christina Mortimer, Communications Specialist Joseph Esposito, COP Paul Matarazzo
20 – Sergeant Michael Breckwoldt, Commander Jason Neat, Deputy Sheriff Howard Underwood
25 – Master Deputy Jeff Turner
