The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office recognized six employees of the month, presented a Six Pillars of Character award, and one police officer received a Purple Heart at the monthly meritorious awards ceremony held on Feb. 26, 2009. Two Certificates of Appreciation were also given to citizens who assisted the JSO.

"During these ceremonies I have the opportunity to honor outstanding people who serve this community at JSO," said Sheriff John Rutherford. "These men and women work, day in and day out, with integrity and commitment to provide the best possible service to our citizens."

Police Officer of the Month~ Sponsored by Burger King; Detective Patrick A. Bodine; Homicide Unit
From January 2008 to September 2008, Det. Bodine was the lead investigator for seven homicide cases. Under his leadership, his team solved six of the cases and the remaining case is still an active investigation.

On Apr. 23, 2008, 15-year-old Dejaun Graham was playing basketball with friends at Panama Park when he was shot by an unknown suspect who fled the scene.

Det. Bodine and Homicide Team 6 responded to the crime scene. Using his excellent investigative and interviewing skills, Det. Bodine was able to solve the murder in two days.

Corrections Officer of the Month~ Sponsored by Coggin Automotive; Corrections Officer Mark F. Belton, Community Transition Center

Officer Mark F. Belton is a 20-year veteran of the JSO Corrections Department and currently serves at the Community Transition Center.

On Aug. 22, 2008, Ofc. Belton was working at Building B at the CTC complex when, at approximately 1:30 a.m., Building A suffered a complete loss of power during Tropical Storm Fay.

Ofc. Belton immediately offered to go to Building A and assist in monitoring the inmates. While on his way to Building A, he realized the emergency generator had not automatically turned on when the power went out. Due to his extensive experience in the military, as an electrician, Ofc. Belton was able to manually restart the generator in order to restore power to Building A. Ofc. Belton's actions positively impacted the safety and security of the inmates and employees who live and work in the CTC Building A.

Civilian Employee of the Month~ Sponsored by Solantic; Michelle V. Bing; Identification Unit
On Sept. 25, 2008, Michelle was working in the "radio room" taking calls from officers and verifying the identities of individuals. She received a call from Police Officer Joseph Bruce, Zone 2, concerning a subject named Marc Clifton Bryant. Bryant had three possible warrants out of Utah but did not have a local arrest record on file.
Michelle determined the suspect in custody was Marc Bryant and notified the officer that Bryant was wanted in Utah for Parole Violation, Failure to Appear on the charge of Kidnapping a Minor, and Unlawful Flight to Avoid Persecution. The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) also had Bryant listed as an armed, dangerous, and violent sexual predator. Ms. Bing's hard work made sure that the police had the right suspect, and that he was properly charged on all outstanding warrants.

Reserve Officer/Volunteer of the Month~ Sponsored by Nimnicht Chevrolet; Civilian Lieutenant Wilfred L. Ward
Nov. 15, 2008, Civilian Lieutenant of our Community Posse, Wilfred L. Ward, participated in three outreach programs during a marathon of presentations done on behalf of the JSO.

The first program was held in Zone 3 at the Mandarin Public Library and Civilian Lt. Ward presented crime prevention information to 10 participants. The second program was held at Lakeshore Methodist in Zone 4. Lt. Ward presented Drug Safety Tips and offered Child Fingerprinting to the more than 300 people who attended this event. Finally, he went to a resident's home, in Zone 4, and again delivered a Crime Prevention presentation to a group of 12 people.

Lt. Ward has received numerous accolades including, the Mayor's "Outstanding Male Citizen of the Year" for 2007, and the 2006 President's Silver Volunteer Service Award.

Police Supervisor of the Month~ Sponsored by Stein-Mart; Sergeant Michael S. White; Zone 3

In January 2008 Sgt. White coordinated the efforts of a three person tactical unit to address violent crime in different areas of Zone 3. In the first six months of 2008, Sgt. White's Tactical Unit made 44 felony arrests and 93 misdemeanor arrests, responded to 245 calls for service, wrote 400 traffic tickets, and seized vehicles and a variety of drugs and pills.

Corrections Supervisor of the Month~ Sponsored by First Coast Security Services, Inc; Corrections Sergeant Austin M. Steele; Pre-Trial Detention Facility
Corrections Sgt. Austin M. Steele is a 28-year veteran of the JSO Corrections Department and currently works in the Lower Level of the Pre-Trial Detention Facility and is assigned as a Relief Sergeant. He conducts daily searches in the inmate living areas. He also organizes larger searches as needed. By utilizing any and all available corrections officers and security officers, Sgt. Steele conducts thorough searches or "shakedowns" to control contraband in the PTDF.

On Sept. 15, 2008, Sgt. Steele conducted a shakedown and located two lighters and tobacco along with other nuisance contraband. This activity is critical in reducing the opportunity for disruptions or violent activity in the jail.

Six Pillars of Character ~ Sponsored by "Character Counts! In Jacksonville"; Police Sergeant Sharon M. Scott; Crime Scene Unit

Police Sergeant Sharon M. Scott is the recipient of the Six Pillars of Character Award because she demonstrated Responsibility, Caring and Citizenship for a fellow officer.

In January of 2008, Sgt. Scott learned that one of her previous police recruits was diagnosed with Central Nervous System Lymphoma. She immediately encouraged the personnel in Zone 3, where the officer was assigned, to donate leave. By the fall of 2008, the officer had undergone several surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation. Sharon also coordinated a basket raffle to assist in the medical bills. She either purchased the items for the raffle baskets or she was able to get the items donated. More than $4500 was raised for the officer and his family.

Certificate of Appreciation
Retired Police Officer William G. Dearborn

On Jan. 14, 1986, Officer Dearborn was working off-duty directing traffic. He was confronted by a woman who told him that she had been sexually assaulted and that the assailant was seated in her vehicle. She also told Ofc. Dearborn that the suspect was armed with a knife. Officer Dearborn immediately ordered the man out of the car.

Ofc. Dearborn placed the suspect, James Elmen, in handcuffs, secured him in his patrol car and called for an on-duty unit to transport the man to jail. He was later found guilty of Armed Kidnapping and Sexual Battery and sentenced to 22 years in jail.

The evidence collected when Ofc. Dearborn arrested Elmen in 1986 was used to convict him years later for the brutalization and murder of Julie Estes. The police always suspected Elmen had killed Ms. Estes. After the case was reopened, the DNA evidence was retested at the urging of then Chief of Detectives (and now Undersheriff) Frank Mackesy. Using more advanced equipment, investigators were able to prove that Elman committed the crime. In September of 2008, he received a life sentence in prison through a plea agreement.
 

Certificate of Appreciation
USS Farragut Sailor, Gunner's Mate, 1st Class Juan Gallegos

On Jan. 26, 2008, Police Officer of the Year, JSO Det. Jared Reston was shot seven times by a suspect while working off-duty at Regency Square Mall.

USS Farragut Sailor, Gunner's Mate, 1st Class Juan Gallegos was driving when he saw Det. Reston chasing someone across a parking lot. Juan immediately pulled over to the side of the road and got out to assist Det. Reston. By the time he reached the two, the suspect had already shot Det. Reston. Gallegos planned on tackling the fleeing suspect until the suspect pulled a gun and shot Det. Reston. Gallegos immediately called 9-1-1 and was able to provide excellent eye witness testimony.

Police Officer Jason L. Weathington; Zone 5

On Jan. 31, 2008, at approximately 11:30 p.m., Officer Jason L. Weathington was driving his personal car with a friend when he noticed a SUV that appeared to be driving erratically in front of him. One passenger, Nicholas Kelco, started yelling at Ofc. Weathington and threw beer cans at his truck. Ofc. Weathington showed the driver his badge and ordered him to stop. The driver refused to stop and another suspect, Kyle Hydeman, threw another beer can at his truck.

The suspects stopped and exited the vehicle to confront Ofc. Weathington. Kelco ran up to him and tried to engage him in a fight but the officer repelled his attack while the other two suspects approached his friend on the passenger side. Kelco ran across the street and
disappeared into a wooded area. Kelco returned from the wooded area with a large tool handle and struck Ofc. Weathington on the head. Weathington was able to fire and Kelco fled the scene with the other suspects. Ofc. Weathington was transported by JFRD to Baptist South Hospital and received 14 staples to his wound.

The suspects crashed on the way to the hospital. Later, Kelco received treatment for his gunshot wound and was arrested on a charge of Battery to a Law Enforcement Officer by the St. John's County Sheriff's Office. Hydeman received 5 years probation and Kelco is scheduled for sentencing in March of 2009 to receive 71/2 years in prison.