- January 8, 2026
Ormond Beach Police Cpl. Rick Taylor, Cpl. Joshua Morris and Sgt. Caleb Braun. Photo courtesy of Pauline Dulang/Ormond Beach Police Department
Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey, Battalion Chief Joe Dupree, Officer Michael Carini, Sgt. Josh DeLong and Lt. Michael Garner. Photo courtesy of Pauline Dulang/Ormond Beach Police Department
Rick Taylor is promoted to the rank of corporal. Photo courtesy of Pauline Dulang/Ormond Beach Police Department
Joshua Morris is promoted to the rank of corporal. Photo courtesy of Pauline Dulang/Ormond Beach Police Department
Rhett Summerlot is promoted to the rank of sergeant. Photo courtesy of Pauline Dulang/Ormond Beach Police Department
Ormond Beach Fire Battalion Chief Joe Dupree and Deputy Chief Nate Quartier. Photo courtesy of Pauline Dulang/Ormond Beach Police Department
Three Ormond Beach Police officers were promoted during a ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 7.
Officers Rick Taylor and Joshua Morris were both promoted to the rank of corporal. Officer Rhett Summerlot was promoted to the rank of sergeant.
OBPD recognized their promotions in a Facebook post.
"Each of these individuals brings proven leadership experience, a strong work ethic, and a record of professional excellence," the agency wrote. "Their dedication to service, commitment to their peers, and leadership both in the field and within the department exemplify the values of OBPD."
During the ceremony, Sgt. Caleb Braun said he suggested that Taylor and Morris, previously members of the department's motor unit, take the corporal exam for experience.
"They both took the exam, and they both absolutely crushed it," Braun said. "They scored so well that there was zero hesitation in completely gutting the motor unit to promote both of them."
That was the right decision for the department, Braun said. Both Taylor and Morris have earned numerous awards and accolades, including the recognition of Officer of the Year.
"Awards are great, recognitions are great, but none of that means anything if you forget where you came from," Braun said. "Or, how to treat and how to lead people. I have no doubt that you all will do great at that."
OBPD also honored several founding members of the Ormond Beach Police Department Special Response Team, established in 2018: Ormond Beach Fire Battalion Chief Joe Dupree, Officer Michael Carini, and Sgt. Josh DeLong.
