Manatee Review

Congressman Vern Buchanan held his annual Congressional District Law Enforcement Awards last night at the Manatee Performing Arts Center in Bradenton. Established fourteen years ago, these awards recognize law enforcement officers and departments in Florida’s 16th District for exceptional achievement. Winners were selected by an independent panel of current and retired law enforcement personnel organized by Buchanan.

“Every day, these brave men and women put themselves in harm’s way to enforce our laws and protect the public,” Buchanan said. “Now, more than ever, they need and deserve our gratitude and respect. I believe these awards are a fitting tribute to our officers, and their four-legged partners, and serve as an important reminder of the vital role they play in our communities.”

So far in 2024, 71 officers have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.

The "Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award" was given to Lieutenant Nicholas Pruitt, Deputy Michael Ates, Deputy Althavia Brown, Deputy James Forkin, Deputy Christopher Houghton, and Detective Dwight Roberts of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

The "Dedication and Professionalism Award" recipients included Officer Andrew Adkins of the Holmes Beach Police Department; Officer Kevin Williams of the Bradenton Police Department; Trooper Taylor Ledford of the Florida Highway Patrol; Corporal Benjamin Schlabach of the Palmetto Police Department; Detective Matthew Hostetler; Detective Steven Luke; and Detective Carmine Luper of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

The "Gary Tibbetts Career Service Award" honored Major Todd Shear of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office; Captain (retired) William Knight; Detective Jeff Beckley of the Bradenton Police Department; and Special Agent (retired) Stephen Lieberman of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Recipients of the "Preservation of Life Award" included Sergeant Russell Ackerman from Bradenton Police Department; Officer Specialist Kelsey Dalton from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Lieutenant Richard Rietz; Sergeant Randy Lamb; Sergeant Laszlo Nagy; Detective Eric Davis; Deputies Jake Essek, Joshua Groover, Brian Hart, Stanley Hartley, Brandon Howard, Lauren Jalowiec, Alexis Lyon, Robert Macchio, Paul McCartney, Humberto Noronha, Gregory Palso, Deborah Perry, Carrie Renninger, Patti Savageau Hurly Smith Arturo Velasquez from Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

The "Unit Citation Award" went to multiple units: Bradenton Police Department Narcotics Unit members Detectives Eleazar Garcia and Brandon Kells. The Florida Highway Patrol Troop C Criminal Interdiction Unit including Sergeant Joshua Malloy along with Troopers Jeremy Fields Wesley Kelly Deryck Lewis Chris Nottingham Sergio Pearce Eric Schaub K-9 Flip Titan Lobo. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Fraud/Auto/Pawn Unit members Sergeant Jason Farrier Detectives Anthony Begley Joshua Breitwieser Gary Cummings III Samuel Ebeling Rachael Fossaceca Daniel Reyna Antonio Starnes Randall Walker

Buchanan is a strong supporter of law enforcement. He sponsors the Thin Blue Line Act in Congress which toughens penalties against anyone who targets or kills police officers or other first responders making such acts an “aggravating” factor in death penalty determinations.