Making a Difference

Just another night on patrol... and then some

It was just another night on patrol until Deputy Tom Wallis spotted a single car crash into a creek off of the John Young Parkway south of Taft Vineland Road. Deputy Wallis was soon backed up by Deputies Tyson Fowler, Jon Bartley, James Busque, and Melvin Huggins. They quickly realized that the vehicle was fully submerged in the dark cold creek and there was no victim to be found. The deputies reacted quickly, jumping into the water to search for the car's occupants. They quickly found an unconscious man and pulled him from the sunken automobile. While some of the rescuers began CPR on the lifeless victim the others continued to search for additional victims until they were satisfied the man was the sole occupant of the car. Sadly, despite their efforts, the victim did not survive the crash. But their willingness to put themselves in a difficult and potentially dangerous situation personifies the meaning of "to serve and protect."

Helping to find a cure for Cystic Firbrosis... one hot dog at a time
During April, 2007 the agency was involved in a fundraiser for the Cystic fibrosis foundation. Our Records Unit stepped up to the plate but dishing out plates of freshly grilled and mighty fine hot dogs to raise money for the cause. And raise money they did! Between their participation in a walkathon for CF and their lunch time cookout the unit raised over $2900!
Resident chefs and dog servers from Records includes (from the left) Lillian Dominguez, Cheryl Inigo, Nakia Pearson, Amy Fusco, Cheryl Story, Jennifer Albrecht, and Arnell Williams

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Two of an impaired driver's worst nightmares, D/S Todd Gardnier (left) and D/S Aaron Wilson pause for a snapshot during their Tallahassee award ceremony. D/S Parker was not available for the photo.

Nabbing DUI's... three deputies, 379 drunks off Orange County's roadways!

Three of Orange County's finest were honored during MADD's 2007 Century Achievers Recognition event in Tallahassee on April 23 for their contributions to the state's DUI effort. Deputies Aaron Wilson, Todd Gardner, and Chet Parker made 167, 107, and 105 trips respectively to the county lockup with an intoxicated driver tucked away in their back seats during the previous year. When you stop and think about it, that's pretty impressive work! Chief Frank Fabrizio is extremely proud of our DUI "bloodhounds" but also pointed out that the agency's DUI Detection Unit provides invaluable support the troops on the street pretty much without notice or fanfare. Chief Fabrizio was quick to point out that last year the folks who test and process impaired drivers processed and testified in court on the over 3,000 DUI arrests made in the county and have been recognized as being one of the best run alcohol testing programs in Florida.

Groceries for guns...

The simplest ideas often yield the biggest results. Offer up a free pair of tennis shoes, a gift certificate for some Winn Dixie groceries, or maybe a couple of free concert tickets for an unwanted gun. On March 31 members of the Orange County Sheriff's Office TAC team set up shop at two county community centers and, with the help of local radio station 102 JAMZ, publicized the fact that they would take in any unwanted firearm, no questions asked. Anyone giving up a gun would be given one of the items mentioned above. The program worked. Over 40 dangerous and potentially lethal guns were taken off of the streets that day. Kudos to the Orange County Sheriff's Office TAC Team and all who supported this pilot program. Did it make a difference? If it kept just one of those guns from being used in a crime it most certainly did.