Palm Coast Observer
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Deputy Richard Petkovsek wins Officer of the Year award

Flagler County Sheriff's Office Deputy Richard Petkovsek is this year's recipient of the Crime Stoppers Officer of the Year Award.

Petkovsek "is one of the hardest working deputies in the Flagler County Sheriff's Office and leads the deputies by example," Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida board member Ed Fuller said, reading from a statement prepared by the Sheriff's Office as he presented Petkovsek with the countywide award during a July 17 County Commission meeting.

In one instance in January 2016, Fuller said, Petkovsek dived into the water with rescuers to help a person stuck in a car that had crashed into a retention pond. Petkovsek gave the victim CPR until the victim was able to breathe on his own. The victim made a full recovery.

In another instance, Petkovsek came across a homeless man while out on patrol. "The deputy went and took the gentleman to a hotel and paid for his room," Fuller said. "That's the kind of individual that we have in the Flagler County Sheriff's department."

Petkovsek's work has also helped solve a number of local burglaries in which the Sheriff's Office was ultimately able to recover stolen property and return it to its rightful owner, Fuller said. Petkovsek accepted the award alongside his wife, Yaritza Petkovsek. The Officer of the Year Award is the highest award bestowed by Crime Stoppers on law enforcement officers.

County Attorney Al Hadeed wins statewide ethics award

Flagler County Attorney Al Hadeed has won the Florida Association of County Attorney's 2016-2017 Ethics in Government Award.

"This ... goes to the recognition of the longstanding, I think superior performance of Mr. Hadeed in the eyes of his fellow county attorneys and local government attorneys pertaining to the training that he has given us and the high standards that he has held himself to," Florida Association of County Attorneys Chairman Patrick McCormack said before presenting Hadeed's award during a July 17 Flagler County Commission meeting.

McCormick read several commendations of Hadeed from his colleagues, including the following statement from Seminole County Attorney Brian Applegate: "(Hadeed) has set the standard in not only conducting himself with high ethical principles, but in defending his client and his representatives with passion and conviction. He is a leader among Florida county attorneys in many areas of the law. It is an honor and privilege to be associated with this outstanding government lawyer and person."

Flagler County's former attorney, Noah McKinnon, wrote: "We are fortunate in Flagler County to have a man possessed of great intellect, strong character, high morality and complete adherence to the ethical standards promulgated by the Florida Supreme Court as our county attorney."

"The high road is the only road he knows, and I am not surprised at such a recognition for Mr. Hadeed," County Commissioner Nate McLaughlin said.

Haircuts for a cause

For the seventh year in a row, Flagler County students in need can get a free haircut at Olga’s Hair Salon from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 7.

Palm Coast resident Susan Bereda is volunteering to help coordinate the efforts for this project.

“I care very much about the homeless in this county,” Bereda said. “This is a need and something I feel God has sent me to do.”

Bereda said Flagler Schools will be reaching out to homeless and needy children in the area to encourage the kids to call and make appointments with Olga at 627-4552. Olga speaks Spanish, as well.

The salon is located at 269 Old Moody Blvd., Palm Coast.