Flagler Beach, FL – Called into the office by the chief, Detective Vinci was a bit unsure of what was coming down the pipeline. Never one to carry a joke too far, Flagler Beach Police Chief Matt Doughney revealed the real reason for summoning the detective into his office.
Having nominated the seven year member of his team for the Florida Police Chiefs Association Officer of the Year Lee McGehee Award for Small Law Enforcement Agencies, news had just broken that she’d been selected for the highest honor from nominations across the state.
Presented by Flagler Beach Mayor Suzie Johnston on Thursday evening, the City of Flagler Beach formally recognized Flagler Beach Police Detective Rosanna Vinci to resounding applause during the opening of the city commission meeting.
“I was very surprised because I didn’t understand the (magnitude) of this, so I didn’t realize that it’s in the entire state of Florida, so I was like ‘really?’” shared Vinci. “I was kind of taken back by it at first.”
Recalling Doughney’s attempt to surprise her, Vinci’s instincts knew better.
“I was in the Chief’s office, he tried to set it up like I was in trouble, but was like ‘I know you’re bluffing’ because I knew I didn’t do anything, and then he couldn’t hold that face anymore,” she shared before receiving the recognition Thursday night, with fellow first responders cheering her on.
“It’s very rewarding to get that but the biggest part for me is, it’s not just me that does it, it’s not just my award, it’s my victims’ award as well,” she said.
“(It’s) the people that I’ve helped because without a victim there is not a crime according to the courts and it takes a lot for the victims to stand up and go through this entire process, which is very difficult for them to go through. It’s their courage and their strength that helps give me strength to complete the case. So it’s really not my award, it’s our award.”
On hand to commemorate the moment, Chief Doughney was filled with pride at Vinci’s commitment to protecting and serving her community.
“It’s an award that’s presented by the Chiefs of Police throughout the entire state and for a small city with less than 5,000 people to have our detective recognized as the Officer of the Year for all the law enforcement for the state of Florida, it’s humbling and also rewarding knowing that our officers are doing a great job each and every day,” he said.
“Thanks to the Awards Committee for recognizing what an amazing job Detective Vinci does for our community. She is truly deserving of this award. Her tenacity, self-motivation and desire to make Flagler Beach a safe place to live, work and visit is commendable and worthy of this prestigious award”.
Detective Vinci will formally receive the McGehee Award at the Florida Police Chiefs Association’s Summer Conference at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel on Tuesday, June 29, 2021.
Featured Photo: Flagler Beach Police Detective Rosanna Vinci accepts recognition from the Flagler Beach City Commission during their meeting on Thursday, June 24, 2021. From left, City Commissioners Deborah Phillips, Jane Mealy, Eric Cooley, Rick Belhumeur, Ken Bryan and Mayor Suzie Johnston. Photo/Penelope Anderson, Flagler News Weekly
