Walton County Detention Deputy Honored as the FSA 2019 Corrections Officer of the Year

January 22, 2019

Deputy Corbett receives his award

The Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) is pleased to announce that Walton County Detention Deputy Thomas Corbett has been selected as the 2019 Corrections Officer of the Year. Each year, the award is presented at the FSA Winter Conference to an officer who has demonstrated exceptional service in the line of duty. This award is sponsored by Star & Shield Insurance Services.

Deputy Corbett is applauded for his unending service to the community and life-saving heroism in the line of duty. Due to his dedication to helping others while on and off duty, he has been nominated for his courageous service and received a Life Saving Medal.

Early in 2018, Corbett saved a young boy’s life. Only one day after receiving CPR and First Aid training, he intervened as the boy began choking in a local restaurant where Corbett happened to be eating. Without hesitation, Deputy Corbett used his heroic abilities and new training to save the child’s life by performing abdominal thrusts until the food was dislodged from his airway.

Deputy Corbett was not initially planning to attend the lunch. If it were not for another deputy encouraging him to go, the outcome of that day might have been very different.

“Call it divine intervention,” Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson said. “Whatever you believe in, there was something at work here.”

On March 4, 2018, Detention Deputy Corbett saved another person’s life while enjoying an off-duty lunch with his son. While eating, Corbett heard gunshots and immediately sprung into action. When he arrived at the scene, he found the wounded victim and without hesitation began to administer CPR. He controlled the victim’s bleeding until EMT services arrived.

“Detention Deputy Corbett has proven to be a guy you want around when an emergency occurs,” said Lieutenant Georgina Hicks. “As first responders, we are trained to act on or off duty to provide care for those in need of medical assistance.”

The Florida Sheriffs Association Corrections Officer of the Year Award is proudly sponsored by Star & Shield Insurance Services. Allen Durham, President and CEO of Star & Shield Insurance Services, said: “We are greatly appreciative to Walton County Detention Deputy Corbett for his incredible dedication both on and off duty. A well-deserved honor presented by the Florida Sheriffs Association to Detention Deputy Corbett as the 2019 Corrections Officer of the Year.” 

During the annual winter conference banquet, Corbett was given a standing ovation from the 500-plus law enforcement attendees and their supporters.

Video available to view here: [url=https://youtu.be/rqX7H4L7FX0]https://youtu.be/rqX7H4L7FX0[/url]

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About the Florida Sheriffs Association:
The Florida Sheriffs Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation made up of Florida’s Sheriffs, approximately 3,500 business leaders and 70,000 citizens throughout the state. Founded in 1893, FSA has steadfastly served the citizens of Florida by supporting the needs of the state's law-enforcement community. Through the Florida Sheriffs Association, Sheriffs are given a forum to address lawmakers to push for positive changes in Florida’s public safety arena. FSA also provides Sheriffs' Offices much-needed programs such as affordable training, special task forces and legislative and legal services.  Dedicated to the prevention of juvenile delinquency and the development of lawful, productive citizens, FSA both established and continues to fund the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches with facilities throughout the state to help restore hope, fulfill dreams, and prepare boys and girls for the future. The Florida Sheriffs Association has grown to be one of the largest and most successful state law enforcement associations in the nation.

About Star & Shield Insurance Services:
Star & Shield Insurance Services is dedicated to serving those in Public Safety and their families. Representing multiple leading insurance companies offering coverage for auto, homeowners, renters, rental homes, boats, RVs, motorcycles and umbrella, Star & Shield Insurance Services is committed to providing great coverage, service and value to those who put their lives on the line every day. For more information, visit [url=http://www.starandshield.com]http://www.starandshield.com[/url].