Florida Sheriffs Capitol Report

Our annual Florida Sheriffs Day at the Capitol is Thursday, March 18. Sheriffs' Offices around the state will be displaying special operation vehicles, providing demonstrations and exhibits. There's also a noon "seafood fest," and the public is welcome. Stop by and support your Florida Sheriffs!

In Other News...

The Florida Sheriffs need your help on important public safety legislation. Please consider contacting your Representatives and urging support for HB 417. You can help by urging Rep. Robert Schenk (R-Springhill) to schedule a hearing.

Detective Jared Reston of the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office Honored as the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year

Today, the Florida Sheriffs Association is proud to announce that Detective Jared Reston of the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office received the Attorney General's 2009 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award. Reston was one of 12 nominees present at the Capitol ceremony recognizing the distinguished officers for their dedication to law enforcement and their protection of the public. More >>

FDLE and DOC Announce First Capture in 12 Days of Fugitives Campaign

Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Commissioner Gerald Bailey and Department of Corrections (DOC) Secretary Walt McNeil today announced the first capture in the “12 Days of Fugitives” campaign. Oscar Eugene Richardson, 61, was arrested at 3 p.m. Saturday in Ridgedale, Missouri as a result of information received through the campaign’s toll free hotline. Richardson had been on the run more than 30 years.

Florida Sheriffs Need You to Build for the Future

After the Florida Sheriffs Association lost its Tallahassee headquarters to fire in 2008, the Sheriffs have launched an effort to re-build. The new two-story building design will overlook the existing Florida Sheriffs Law Enforcement Memorial.

While we are fortunate to be able to re-build at the same location - which means no land purchase is necessary - the construction costs are over and above the association’s current operating budget. And because the previous building was more than 25 years old, insurance is covering only a fraction of the cost to replace it.

In order to offset costs, the Florida Sheriffs Association is turning to you - our loyal members - to ask for a little extra help. I want to give to this effort.

The Life of a Crisis Negotiator

The role of Crisis or Hostage Negotiator is a secondary position in law enforcement. They're the ones on the other end of the line with a barricaded person who is often threatening to harm themselves or others. It's a really hot seat. What does it take? Hear what these Crisis Negotiators have to say...

St. Lucie Gets Bargain Mobile Command Center

When the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office reorganized its Crisis Negotiation Team, it became obvious they needed a custom-designed rolling command center. But in these days of tightened budgets, it also became obvious that the team's vehicle would have to be a low-budget production. Their solution: A donated ambulance and remodeling using jail inmate labor.

Florida's Lady Sheriffs: A Rare Breed

Only 3 of Florida's 16 women Sheriffs have been elected to the Office -- including two who were recently re-elected, Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell and Highlands County Sheriff Susan Benton.

Through an excerpt from his book, "The Encyclopedia of Florida Sheriffs and Their Families: 1821-2008: A Genealogical Excursion into Florida Law Enforcement," Author Victor Sylvestri offers some background on the women who have served as Chief Law Enforcement Officers in their counties around the state -- going back to 1938.

Their Bravery Saved the Sheriff

Incident involving Deputy Sheriff of the Year winners hits close to home

Pictured above: At center, holding plaques, Capt Joey Rabon (left) and Corporal Billy Dozier were named co-winners of the Deputy Sheriff of the Year 2007. Pictured with them (from left) Jackson County Sheriff John "Johnny Mac" McDaniels, daughter Machelle Campbell and FSA Outgoing President Baker County Sheriff Joey Dobson.

"Sheriff of Florida" Buddy Phillips Dies

The Florida Sheriffs Association is mourning the loss of J. M. "Buddy" Phillips Jr., known fondly as the "Sheriff of Florida," who died early Tuesday, June 10, in Tallahassee. Buddy served as Executive Director of the Florida Sheriffs Association for 14 years, where he built membership and additional support for our sister organization, the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches. During his tenure, he also established a permanent memorial on the grounds of FSA headquarters dedicated to the men and women of Sheriffs' Offices who died in the line of duty and published the History of the Florida Sheriffs, a book series reaching back into the Office of Sheriff beginning in the 1800s.

Association Office Burns

A fire started at the Florida Sheriffs Association offices in Tallahassee early Tuesday morning, April 15. The building is a total loss. Please continue to keep the staff members in your prayers. Updates will be forthcoming.

We have limited telephone access and recently had e-mail restored...but lost a great deal of data. If you did not receive a reply, please try again.

Thank you for your patience.

Corporal Freeman Named Correctional Officer of the Year

At the Florida Sheriffs Association's 2007 Mid-Winter conference, the Sheriffs honored Brevard County Corporal Kimberly Freeman by naming her the 2007 Correctional Officer of the Year. Corporal Freeman was placed in a deadly force situation where she had to make a split second decision. Incredibly, she chose to put herself in harm's way to protect a fellow corrections officer.

Detective Brian Hester Wins Deputy Sheriff of the Year

Past winners of the Deputy Sheriff of the Year have been recognized for everything from wrestling victims away from dangerous criminals to surviving a shootout and bringing the culprits to justice. This year's winner captured the Florida Sheriffs' attention through his behind-the-scenes work. St. Lucie County Sheriff's Detective Brian Hester helped dismantle a powerful and dangerous street gang responsible for several homicides, numerous shootings, robberies and a significant level of narcotic trafficking.

Rise In Teen Fatalities Are A Concern for Sheriffs

Did you know that in the United States, traffic crashes occur every 12 seconds?In fact, you are more likely to be killed in an automobile crash than in any other way.And vehicular crashes are now the No. 1 cause of death among young adults.The Florida Sheriffs are working to change that...by creating a new statewide driving program that challenges young adults to improve their driving:The Teen Driver Challenge.

Sheriff Plans Rescue of Stranded Deputy Following Hurricane

Many of us in Florida have felt the anxiety of knowing that a family member is in the eye of a hurricane. Some of us have even provided refuge to relatives, as they sought to get out of harm's way. But what if you knew that family member had survived Hurricane Katrina, only to become caught up in the chaos that followed? That is, stranded at the New Orleans Convention Center, going for days without food and water, and having their personal safety at risk?

Manatee County Sheriff Charlie Wells knows how it feels.

Pasco Sheriff's Office Expands Project Childsafe

Pasco Sheriff's Office Child Protective Investigators who are tasked with investigating child-abuse allegations will have another tool to keep children safe.The Sheriff's Office has started distributing 2,000 ChildSafe gunlock safety kits, doubling the number of gunlocks distributed in 2004.