- April 19, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
By Brittany Kershaw
Public Affairs Manager
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office celebrated the third quarter of 2019 with an awards ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 23. Sheriff Rick Staly recognized exceptional service by Sheriff’s Office employees and members of the community.
July Employee of the Month and Certificate of Commendation - Chaplain Juan Schembri
Chaplain Juan Schembri assisted a deputy on a traffic stop on July 21, where two individuals were being uncooperative with law enforcement. Schembri recognized it as a potential officer safety situation and therefore parked his vehicle beside the deputy’s and stood by in a safe manner to ensure the deputy was ok before additional units arrived.
August Employee of the Month, Lifesaving Award, and Narcan Lifesaving – Deputy Robert Strack
Deputy Robert Strack responded to a medical call on Aug. 1 and performed CPR on the patient until medical personnel arrived. The patient was transported to the hospital where he made a full recovery. Upon closer inspection, drug paraphernalia was present and a possible accidental overdose may have occurred.
September Employee of the Month and Certificate of Appreciation – Sgt. Greg Tietje
Sgt. Greg Tietje discovered displaced sea turtles during the effects felt in Flagler County by Hurricane Dorian. During his overnight shift, he rescued five newly hatched sea turtles and brought them to safety.
Narcan Lifesaving Award
Deputies Strack and Adam Gossett responded to an overdose on Aug. 30. Upon arrival, Strack observed an unresponsive male. Strack administered one dose of Narcan, which briefly revived the man. Once Gossett arrived on scene, he immediately administered a second dose of Narcan, which completely revived the man. The man was then taken to the hospital.
Deputy Taylor Oldham responded to an overdose for an unresponsive woman on Aug. 2. Oldham administered Narcan and the woman began to regain consciousness. The woman was then taken to the hospital. Deputy Oldham receives the Lifesaving award for his quick response.
Deputies Shannon Smith and Robert Lentino responded to unresponsive man on Aug. 25 who was receiving CPR from a neighbor. Smith and Lentino took over CPR efforts as well as administering Narcan and deployed an AED. The man was taken to the hospital.
Sheriff's Citation
Detective Diego Morales received the Sheriff’s Citation award for his many years leading the SWAT Team. Morales has shown tremendous commitment to the team and has made many sacrifices along the way.
Unit Citation
The Special Investigations Unit — comprised of Sgt. Bernie Woodward, Cpl. Brian Finn, Cpl. Frank Gamarra, Det. Adam Barkoskie, Det. Artie Erlandson and Det. Agustin Rodriguez — facilitated the FCSO's largest undercover narcotics operation, Operation Heat Wave, on Aug. 20. Detectives spent eight months investigating drug dealers and working covert operations to make arrests. Forty felony warrants were issued for Operation Heat Wave.
Through strategically securing information on the whereabouts of a dangerous fugitive out of Ohio, this team — comprised of Cmdr. Jon Welker, Sgt. Jon Reckenwald, Cpl. Ron Mello, Cpl. Paul Kandour, Dep. Troy Cavas, Dep. Seth Green, Dep. Austin Chewning, Dep. James Crosbee, Dep. Mike Spinelli, Dep. Jordan Taylor, Analyst Shannon Sandberg and Analyst Nikki North — worked together to safely take the suspect into custody as soon as he entered Flagler County. This incident showcased the Intelligence Led Policing approach and the successful collaboration across numerous areas of the agency components.
Members from the Investigative Services Division — comprised of Sgt. Mike Miller, Sgt. Bernie Woodward, Cpl. Mark Moy, Cpl. George Hristakopoulos, Cpl. Brian Finn, Cpl. Frank Gamarra, Det. Gabe Fuentes, Det. Dennis Lashbrook, Det. Darrell Butler, Det. Andrew Cangialosi, Det. Diego Morales, Det. Rich Petkovsek, Det. John Castanheira, Det. Agustin Rodriguez, Det. Fiona Ebrill, Sgt. Jon Dopp, Dep. Austin Chewning, Dep. Jacob West, CSI Lainie Rittenour, CSI Laura McKinlay, Victim Advocate Kathy Vazquez and Analyst Nikki North — responded to a homicide with a 17-year-old victim on July 12. Investigators traced all leads and pieced together all surveillance and security footage to quickly lay out a timeline of events which led to identifying the suspect.
The Citizen Observer Patrol Traffic Crash Investigators — comprised of Cmdr. Barry White, Sgt. Steve Fields, Sgt. Robert Millett, Albert DiFederico, Carlos Nunez and Chief Michael Muller —assist the Sheriff’s Office as volunteers on the roadways. Over the past 42 months, the TCI squad had worked 3,255 calls. They work calls for minor crashes, traffic control, and much more. The TCI's are highly trained, dedicated professionals who do this difficult work without pay.
Distinguished Service Certificate – Det. Annie Conrad and Cpl. George Hristakopoulos
The FCSO received a report in June that a local doctor inappropriately touched a patient. After a press release was disseminated to the public, 16 additional victims came forward. Annie Conrad worked diligently for months documenting each victim’s case and providing support. George Hristakopoulos assisted Conrad with the case. On Aug. 16, the doctor accepted a plea deal and cannot work in the medical field ever again.
Citizen Certificate of Commendation – Julie Qualls
A severe crash occurred on I-95 Southbound on July 23. Julia Qualls called 911 and reported that a Budget moving truck rolled onto the driver’s side and there was another SUV involved with three occupants inside. It was discovered that the male driver in the Budget truck was Qualls’ husband and that Qualls is a nurse. Until units arrived on scene, Qualls simultaneously rendered aid to her husband as well as the occupants of the other vehicle and kept dispatch updated.
Years of Service Awards
• 25 years – Adam Biss, Lisa Nesbitt
• 15 years – Laura Kruger
• 10 years – Ashlie Hicks
• 5 years – Ron Mello
Citizen Observer Patrol Years of Service Awards
