ISSUE 4: OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2023
NEWSANDVIEWS
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NEWS AND VIEWS IS A PUBLICATION OF THE COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLIC EDUCATION SECTION OF THE PUBLIC RELATIONS BUREAU EDITOR RICKY BUTLER | ASSISTANT EDITOR/WRITER LAURA L. SULLIVAN DESIGN A ARON GRUDIS | PHOTOGRAPHY ELLISON HERNANDEZ
RECOGNITION
QUARTERLY BRIGHT STAR AWARDS DEPUTY WYETH WHITEHURST, LAW ENFORCEMENT K-9 handler Deputy Wyeth Whitehurst was recognized for his role in saving the life of a man whose arm was ripped off in an industrial accident. When an employee at the Pinellas County landfill came to the nearby K-9 compound reporting a severe injury to a worker there, Deputy Whitehurst rushed to the scene, calling for the fire department while enroute. When he arrived he found the employee with his arm completely severed while coworkers applied initial first aid. Deputy Whitehurst immediately applied a torniquet and relayed updates and driving directions to the responding fire department. His swift and composed actions played a crucial role in saving the victim’s life. Deputy Whitehurst’s calm demeanor in an extremely stressful situation, coupled with the timely administration of a tourniquet, proved instrumental until fire department assistance arrived.
CORPORAL KEVIN FEY, DEPARTMENT OF DETENTION AND CORRECTIONS Corporal Kevin Fey was recognized for transforming the way new deputies are trained to work in the jail. His innovative and forward-thinking leadership has spearheaded the complete overhaul of the Field Training Program, which teaches new deputies to be safe, compassionate, and effective as they begin their careers in the jail. Faced with the challenge of modernizing a program that had seen little change in 17 years, the corporal rose to the occasion. In addition to overseeing improvements to the online training program, Corporal Fey also introduced a new scoring model, established a monthly FTO supervisor meeting, implemented training checkpoints for recruits, and quarterly FTO round-ups for the entire program. He not only designed the new program but trained more than 70 Field Training Deputies how to implement it. Corporal Fey’s consistent passion and dedication have earned praise from colleagues and supervisors.
LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST JESSICA HOLLAND, CIVILIAN Law Enforcement Analyst Jessica Holland was recognized for developing her career to become more of an asset to the agency. She began as an administrative assistant, but while employed obtained a bachelor’s degree in criminology and then achieved a certificate in crime analysis, upon which she transferred to Intelligence Led Policing as a Law Enforcement Analyst. She has continued her education and continues to advance the threat management process by creating new and innovative ideas to improve site assessments for Pinellas County Schools, businesses, and financial institutions in preparation for any mass casualty event. Holland has the character, optimism, and leadership to uphold the mission of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
BLOOD DRIVE NEXT TIME YOU SEE THE BIG RED BUS IN OUR PARKING LOT, CONSIDER DONATING BLOOD.
Giving blood can make an enormous impact to our local hospitals and patients, having lifesaving results for patients in cancer, burn, trauma, and children’s hospitals here in the Tampa Bay area.
AT THE LAST BLOOD DRIVE,
Oneblood Inc. hoped for at least 16 donors. Thanks to the enthusiasm of PCSO members they had 22 donors and successfully collected 16 units of blood. That has the potential to impact up to 48 lives.
IN 2023
PCSO had five blood drives that collected a total of 85 pints. According to Oneblood that translates to 255 lives saved in 2023. We hope you can continue the trend in 2024.
We’re here to help lessen the learning curve and keep you in the know. So, if there’s a specific topic you’d like to see featured in a future edition of News & Views, submit your suggestions to proud@pcsonet.com. OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2023 | PAGE 3
FISCAL
SOME THINGS HAVE CHANGED,
WHILE OTHERS REMAIN THE SAME NEW IN 2024:
SAME IN 2024:
Limits for deferred compensation 457(b) contributions set by the Internal Revenue Service
Florida minimum wage for SWAT and Canine pay
The annual deferral limit increases to $23,000.
The minimum wage remains the same at $12.00 per hour.
The age 50-plus catch-up option remains $7,500.
Social Security wage base and Medicare tax rate
The pre-retirement three-year catch-up option increases to $46,000.
The employee share of Social Security tax will remain at 6.2 percent for the first $168,600 of wages paid in 2024, and Medicare will remain at 1.45 percent. The total FICA remains at 7.65 percent.
Limits for Bencor-defined contribution set by the Internal Revenue Service Annual Addition Limits increase to $69,000.
W-2s WILL BE MAILED IN JANUARY, AND 1095-Cs WILL BE MAILED IN FEBRUARY TO THE ADDRESS LISTED ON YOUR JANUARY 5, 2024, PAY STATEMENT. Please check that your address is correct by logging into payroll and clicking My Account >My Virtual Check>View Pay Statement. DON’T FORGET, YOU CAN OPT TO GO PAPERLESS. To get an electronic version of the Form W2 Wage and Tax Statement (W2) instead of a mailed copy, go under My Account to My W2s. In the top right corner, click Electronic Consent. Check the box to receive form W2 electronically and hit Save. Enter the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number and hit Confirm.
PAGE 4 | OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2023
TRAINING
Gain New Perspectives with Support Services Classes All members are required to get a certain number of training hours each year. The Training Division offers some interesting classes for support staff that will help in your work life and might even have a positive effect on your personal life too.
The Happiness Advantage series is a five-part class offered February
2nd and 16th, and March 1st, 8th, and 22nd from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Based on the book Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work by Shawn Achor, PhD, this class will help you improve productivity and decrease stress. All five sessions must be attended to receive credit. A virtual class you might enjoy is Body Language: How to Read It & Improve Your Own, offered January 31st. Body language tells more than you realize about your motives, desires, and true feelings. Being a great communicator isn’t just about saying the right words. Discover tips and strategies to apply body language more effectively to increase your personal impact and recognize how to interpret and read the signals of others.
We all know that good communication skills are critical in every business environment. When there’s a communication breakdown, sometimes the problem isn’t the way we speak, but the way we listen. Fortunately, business listening skills can be learned and developed, and the Breakthrough Listening class can help. It is offered March 7th. Other classes for support staff help them learn to address challenges in the workplace. A Kick in the Attitude, next available February 6th, offers fresh, inspiring ways of adapting and adjusting your perspective. Who Put a Lizard in My Lasagna, offered March 6th, helps you invite success into your life by using your unique personal gifts. When Change Happens, Adjust Your Sails, offered April 9th, shows how attitude can help you navigate challenges and change.
OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2023 | PAGE 5
SPOTLIGHT 50 YEARS OF K9
First Call, First Catch – Celebrating Five Decades of K-9 at PCSO BY LAURA L. SULLIVAN
King was a family dog in a bad family. The kid would tie him to a tree in the back yard and shoot darts at him, tormenting him so badly that the neighbors called the SPCA and King was removed from the home. Deputy Ray Poole was a handler without a dog. In 1973, Sheriff Don Genung decided to try out a Canine Unit at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO). At that time dogs were donated, not purchased. “We put an ad in the paper and asked for donations.” They also reached out to the SPCA. They were looking for German shepherds with the right disposition, dogs that might be a little too much for a family to handle but could be perfect for law enforcement. Poole was one of three deputies selected to be the first handlers, but with only two years on he was the junior guy, so the others got their dogs first. “It was the weekend before training was supposed to start, and I still didn’t have a dog.” “I was on my way to work,” Poole said, “and I thought, I’m going to stop at the SPCA one more time. The lady told me they just got a German shepherd in.” There was just one problem. One of the workers brought him to the kennel to show him the dog, but wouldn’t go in. “He said nobody can go into the kennel; he tries to bite anyone who goes near him. Well, we didn’t want dogs who are PCSO’s first three K-9 handlers are (l-r) Ray Poole with King, Ralph Walters with Baron, and Keith biters.” A law enforcement K-9 needs drive Deardon with Nikki. and confidence, but not outright aggression. It was a gamble that paid off. “I’m kind of patting them, getting to know each other, The dog was standing up with his paws on bragging a little bit. King caught more people establishing that bond,” Poole said. “On the the sides of the kennel, and Poole realized than any other K-9 had caught at that time third day we started working on obedience – that he was stuck – his collar was caught in the nation.” Of course, with only three sit, down, come, heel. That took about three on the chain link fence so he couldn’t get K-9 teams in service, each member got a weeks of eight hours a day.” down. The worker was afraid to get close to larger percentage of the calls. Today, with 16 him, but Poole wasn’t about to let an animal K-9 teams on the roster, the calls are spread Teaching King to track was harder. They suffer. “So I went in the cage and walked up among more people. In this context a “catch” started out locating articles, first throwing to him. He never tried to bite me. I unhooked includes not only apprehension of bad them, then hiding them, incorporating him, he sat down, and then he and I walked guys, but also finding missing people, and human scent. Later King would learn to out. I told them, I want this dog. He was successful article searches. track people, starting out with the subject a little younger than what we had asked only a few yards away and working up to for – we didn’t want a dog younger than 18 School was 12 weeks, and though there have more than a mile. months, and King was only 14 months – but been some big innovations in K-9 training we were desperate at that point, and he was over the years, the concept was the same: “I was lucky that I got a dog who wanted my last chance.” baby steps. “We started out with the basics, to work, wanted to learn,” Poole said. “He
PAGE 6 | OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2023
SPOTLIGHT
enjoyed what he was doing. He was ready to go to work every night.” King was also great at home and was gentle during demonstrations with kids. “He loved babies and toddlers, but the older kids made him tense.” Given his history of abuse by his former owner that’s not surprising. King and Poole were dispatched on the very first PCSO Canine Unit call and made the very first catch. “We graduated on a Friday and were supposed to have Saturday and Sunday off,” Poole said. On Saturday morning, an elderly man who was recovering from a heart attack and sleeping on a cot in his dayroom was missing when his wife woke up. The dispatcher reminded the sergeant on scene that they had K-9s now and asked if one should be dispatched. No, the sergeant Handler Ray Poole shows off King’s skills at a Derby Lane demo. said, there’s nothing a dog could do out here. But a captain who wanted to promote K-9 the beginning.” They had some remarkable from Bay Pines. As I come around the corner overruled him and said to send a K-9. tracks in those years. He talked about two of a house I see him.” The suspect took off memorable ones that came near the end of running, with Poole and King in pursuit. “I walked King around where the man had King’s career. “One of the deputies, Norm “He’d go over a fence, King would go over a been sleeping and then took him outside. Romanosky, who would later become a K-9 fence… and I’d scramble over the fence after King didn’t get a great track right away, but handler, stopped a car going about 100 miles them. Finally I turned King loose because we were moving in the general direction per hour down US 19. The driver pulled into I couldn’t keep up. The suspect came to a of the nearby swampy area. All of a sudden a yard and started running.” It was 4:00 a.m. higher fence, but he didn’t make it on the he alerted and I knew he was tracking and Poole was already on his way home, but first try. He turned to see where we were, someone. We went out into the swamp in he heard the call and headed that way. He and right then King bit him. And where he ankle-deep water. I broke through a clump tracked the suspect through a swamp. “The bit him – this guy would not rape anyone of palmettos that were head-high and found water was waist high on me, the sawgrass else again.” a small clearing. The gentleman was laying higher.” They tracked all the way across the there on his back. The water was creeping Pasco County border, through subdivisions, “It was a very interesting time for me. It got up on him. Luckily, he was on his back because for eight or nine miles. By the time they me known, and it helped me get promoted the water was halfway up his head, not quite tracked the suspect to a house, it was 9:15 later.” He was promoted to sergeant and to his mouth. He couldn’t walk so I got him to a.m. A track that long would be unusual now worked patrol for a while. “Later I went into a spot where the paramedics could get him.” – today teams relieve each other to prevent the Communications Center and helped injury and exhaustion to the dog. bring the 911 system to the sheriff’s office The missing man’s son was there, and while in January 1978.” Before that, there hadn’t his dad was being treated he suddenly ran to When they made contact at the home to been 911 in Pinellas. Citizens had to call the his car and took off without telling anyone inform the elderly occupant that someone individual agency. If they called PCSO and where he was going. A little while later he might have broken into her house, she said needed the Largo Police Department, PCSO came flying back and ran up to Poole and there was nobody there but her, and refused would transfer them. King. Panting, he held out a thick, juicy steak entrance. “Then the sergeant, he was a good to King, in thanks for saving his dad. “King old boy type, says if there’s nobody here but Where Poole went, King followed. “When I wasn’t allowed to eat it though. We kept you, who owns those big muddy tennis shoes got promoted, I kept King. I wouldn’t have them on strict diets.” on the porch? Right then the guy ran out the left if I’d had to give up my dog.” He retired back door, but we had two deputies there from PCSO in 2005 as a captain. That first call showed everyone the value of with shotguns.” a Canine Unit. Afterward, the sergeant who A lot has changed in the 50 years that PCSO thought they didn’t need K-9 said he’d never King’s last catch was particularly satisfying in has had a Canine Unit – training methods, refuse a K-9 again. “After that people started its poetic justice. “A man broke into a house policy, and the source of our dogs. Today, we calling us.” in the Seminole area. He raped the woman buy dogs from European stock. “My dog was and killed her husband as he was calling for free, and none of the new dogs have done It was an auspicious start to a five-year career. help. Poole and King were there fast and got what King did. I’d put him up against any dog “We worked well together. We clicked from a good track. “I tracked him across the street they have. He was a great dog.”
OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2023 | PAGE 7
HEALTH & FITNESS
Activity “Snacks” Can Stave Off Negative Effects of Sitting BY LAURA L. SULLIVAN
Most of us spend far too much time sitting every day. Whether you’re an analyst at your desk or a deputy in a cruiser, chances are you’re sitting for more hours than you should. 30 minutes was optimal. That level reduced blood pressure by four to five mmHg, which is about the same reduction a person would get from six months of daily exercising. In fact, all of the walking breaks reduced blood pressure by a similar amount. The five/thirty ratio also reduced blood sugar spikes by 58 percent. All levels of activity snacks provided some benefit. Participants’ moods improved and their fatigue levels decreased. You don’t have to speed walk either. Diaz said that you can walk as little as 1.9 miles per hour, which is a leisurely stroll.
Most Americans spend about half of their workday sitting, and eight hours or more of sitting in total. According to the Centers for Disease Control, there is an association between prolonged sitting and serious health concerns such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, weight gain, and even cancer. Overall, sitting too much can contribute to premature mortality. And we all know how our joints and muscles feel after we’ve been at our desk or in our vehicle for too long. That all sounds really scary, but the good news is that taking some very simple steps can reduce the damage done by all that sitting. And those steps are, literally – steps. Multiple studies have shown that breaking up your sedentary periods with even a brief time of movement can have dramatic results. The Take a Stand Project, which studied the effectiveness of optional standing desks,
PAGE 8 | OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2023
showed that using them reduced overall daily sitting by 66 minutes and led to both a 54 percent decrease in back and shoulder pain, and improved mood. Of course, most of us can’t get a sit/stand desk, so luckily we can take matters into our own hands (and feet.) According to a study led by Keith Diaz, PhD, associate professor of behavioral medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons that was published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, the journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, walking as little as one minute for every hour of continuous sitting can have at least some health benefits. The study tested the effects of activity “snacks” – with either one or five minutes of walking every thirty minutes, or one or five minutes of walking every 60 minutes. The study found that taking a five-minute stroll every
Given the nature of your work and the need for long periods of intense concentration, five minutes of walking every thirty minutes might not be possible. But every little bit helps. Like any new routine, getting into the habit of getting up and walking throughout the day takes a while to develop. We all live by our alarms and notifications, so it might help to set a reminder on your phone. Use the bathroom on another floor so you get a few more steps in. Or you can try peer pressure, teaming up with your coworkers to remind each other. Just like with K-9, you can even train yourself with positive reinforcement. Incorporate a reward system, with the walking as either the task or the prize. When I finish proofreading this page, I’ll treat myself with a walk down the hall and back. Or even I’ll have gum or coffee or a snack after I walk for five minutes. We all have a lot to get done every day, and that ties us to our workstations, whether that’s a desk or a patrol vehicle. But with just a little effort we can mitigate some of the health risks associated with sitting and improve our overall health and wellbeing.
NEW PAT RECORDS
Friendly Competition Ups the Stakes of PAT BY LAURA L. SULLIVAN
There has always been a little friendly rivalry between the law enforcement and corrections sides of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO). You might have noticed lately that the rivalry has become more intense – though just as friendly – between the two primary tactical units, the Corrections Response Team (CRT) and SWAT. includes jumping over a wall, stepping over hurdles of various heights, zigzagging through a serpentine, and doing a low crawl. Most deputies report that the hardest part of the PAT is the 150-pound sled drag, after which they reverse course, going back through the obstacles and then running another 220 yards before testing their fine motor skills by picking up two guns and dry-firing them each six times. They return the flashlight to the trunk, get back in the Tahoe, and the timer stops when their seatbelt clicks.
If you’ve listened to the episodes of 56: A Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Podcast that feature Lieutenant Freddie Hayes and Sergeant Brian Diebold you’ll have a hint that this good-natured ribbing might culminate in some actual competition in 2024. The rivalry expands as members vie for the best time in the Physical Assessment Test (PAT), the athletic course that every sworn member must run – and pass – once a year. “The time limit to complete the PAT is 6:04,” said Training Corporal Nic RamaSanto. “Members who complete the course in 3:09 or less receive a $100 wellness incentive.” If 3:09 is considered an excellent time, what is the lower limit? Two of our members are testing that limit, and as luck would have it the best times are currently a tie between the corrections and law enforcement sides. K-9 handler and former SWAT member Deputy Wyeth Whitehurst has held the record for several years now. “I broke the first record a few years ago. I think it was 2:04. That held for about a year, and then I broke my own record two years ago with 1:56. Last
year I didn’t really care, I ran like a 2:08. Now this guy just tied my best time.” Corporal Nicholas Dinkins said, “I always get the $100. I’m usually in the 2:20 range, but I’m just coasting, not pushing myself to the limit.” Then a year ago he got on the CRT team. “CRT and SWAT are really competitive in the PAT. Corporal RamaSanto, who is on CRT as well, told me Dink, I know you’ve got it in you. Let’s see what you can do.” That year he ran a 2:04 and set the agency record for Corrections. “This year I wasn’t feeling as good as I was last year, but I still gave it all I’ve got, and ended up matching the 1:56 record.” “I didn’t think anyone else would match that time,” Whitehurst said. “You literally have to be at a dead sprint. You can’t slow down. You have to run until you collapse.” The PAT simulates a series of actions that a deputy might encounter in the course of their shift. They start out buckled in the front seat of a patrol Tahoe, then go to the trunk to grab a flashlight before running 220 yards. After that they go through an obstacle course that
Corporal Dinkins thinks he can shave off a second or two the next time he takes the PAT. He remembers a three or four step hesitation where he second guessed the direction to run on the second lap, disrupting his momentum. “I think if we both train for it we can get that number down. Lower limit? I’m thinking 1:50, maybe 1:49? But that’s all gas. And my legs are screaming after 1:56.” Corporal Dinkins is a runner in his free time. Deputy Whitehurst used to run a lot more – cross country and marathons. “Now I’ll just do sprints at the gym. The most I run is a mile.” And he runs behind his K-9 partner Devon too, of course. He also trains Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which makes for excellent cardio. Corporal Dinkins thinks more members are going to be inspired by the competition and push themselves harder. “Why not come out here and give 100 percent? Push yourself to the limit and know you’re giving it your all. With the friendly competitiveness between CRT and SWAT it gives you something to look forward to in training. It keeps it fresh. I think it is going to bring more motivation to both teams. I’m looking forward to seeing the numbers.”
OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2023 | PAGE 9
RECOGNITIONS & TRANSITIONS CHANGES IN THE TROOPS LENGTH OF SERVICE
Deputy Justin Denhard Patrol Operations Bureau Central District
Deputy Howie Miller Patrol Operations Bureau North District
Scherie Thomas Department of Detention & Corrections Inmate Records Section
Colleen Eells Department of Detention & Corrections Inmate Records Section
Corporal Robert Mitchell Patrol Operations Bureau Marine & Environmental Lands Unit
Lieutenant Matthew Thornton Patrol Operations Bureau Central District
Gunnar Foltz Support Services Bureau Property & Evidence Division
Sergeant Michelle Mobley Department of Detention & Corrections Central Divison
Detective Laura Tutko Investigative Operations Bureau Burglary & Pawn Unit
Aubrey Foster Investigative Operations Bureau Mental Health Unit
Deputy Quinn Morrison Patrol Operations Bureau Marine & Environmental Lands Unit
Deputy Nicole Warwick Department of Detention & Corrections North Division
Sergeant Caroline Franjesevic Department of Detention & Corrections Transportation Section
Joe Navarro Support Services Bureau Property & Evidence Division
Sergeant Antuan Watkins Department of Detention & Corrections Detention Court Squad
Nayana Garnica Department of Detention & Corrections Support Services
Deputy Todd Nellenbach Patrol Operations Bureau School Resource Deputy Unit
Deputy Dennis Welch Judicial Operations Bureau Civil Court Squad
Deputy Michael Godin Judicial Operations Bureau Criminal Court Squad
Deputy Nathan Northrup Department of Detention & Corrections North Divison
Marina Williams Department of Detention & Corrections Inmate Records Section
Andrew Goldstein Department of Detention & Corrections Support Services
Kevin Pettit Judicial Operations Bureau Criminal Court Squad
Deputy Mark Zirkel Patrol Operations Bureau Central District
Arlene Grieves Department of Detention & Corrections Inmate Records Section
Nicole Prohaska Public Relations Bureau Communications and Public Education
RETIREMENTS
Sergeant Janet Groff Department of Detention & Corrections North Divison
Deputy Jeffrey Rogala Department of Detention & Corrections North Divison
Karen Hanson Department of Detention & Corrections Support Services
Nicole Rossodivita Investigative Operations Bureau Mental Health Unit
Deputy Justin Hardwick Department of Detention & Corrections North Divison
Deputy Blake Salzman Patrol Operations Bureau Central District
Lieutenant Freddie Hayes Department of Detention & Corrections Support Services
Ramona Schaefer Department of Detention & Corrections Support Services
Sam Hester Support Services Bureau Property & Evidence Division
Laura Schmidt Department of Detention & Corrections Classification Section
Corporal Romaine Hill Department of Detention & Corrections North Divison
Detective Jarret Schuler Investigative Operations Bureau Threat Management Unit
Stacie Wilder..........................30 Years
Stephan Imperiale Judicial Operations Bureau Criminal Court Squad
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Detective Steve Jacobsen Investigative Operations Bureau Burglary & Pawn Unit
Deputy Chuck Skipper Public Relations Bureau Crime Prevention and Community Awareness
Corporal Mike Andrews Department of Detention & Corrections North Division
Deputy Joseph Jennings Jr. Department of Detention & Corrections North Divison
Deputy Brant Bickford Patrol Operations Bureau Central District
Detective Kyle Lange Investigative Operations Bureau Burglary & Pawn Unit
Deputy Joey Bowden III Judicial Operations Bureau Civil Court Squad
Sergeant Rick Lauby Department of Detention & Corrections North Divison
Deputy Chris Brady Judicial Operations Bureau Criminal Court Squad
Max Maximin Department of Detention & Corrections Classification Section
April Burghardt Augusta Department of Detention & Corrections Inmate Records Section
Deputy Michael Metzger Department of Detention & Corrections North Divison
Brittany Brinkman.................. 10 Years Jacqueline Danzig.................. 10 Years Les Emanuels......................... 10 Years Teresa Fry............................... 10 Years Deputy Aleksandar Maric........ 10 Years Corporal Sabrina Montemayor....10 Years
Deputy Ashley Nascimento..... 10 Years Deputy Stanley Young............. 10 Years Christi Carter.......................... 15 Years Steven Crandall...................... 15 Years David Palek............................. 15 Years Sergeant Ben Adler.................20 Years Kara Banville..........................20 Years Rebeca D'jimas.......................20 Years Colleen Eells..........................20 Years Mardi Falcon...........................20 Years Captain Adam Kinzel...............20 Years Corporal Rick Merritt..............20 Years Corporal Georgeos Smalios....20 Years Deputy Ray Sookhoo...............20 Years Lieutenant Paul Valachovic....20 Years Sergeant Ryan Armstrong......25 Years Deputy Jeffrey Clement..........25 Years Elyna Coleman........................25 Years Sergeant Caroline Franjesevic.............................25 Years Deputy Kelvin Franklin...........25 Years Steve Gennaro........................25 Years Deputy Michael Harder...........25 Years Lieutenant Dean LaChance.....25 Years Deputy Jason Loftus...............25 Years Deputy Amy Tenbieg...............25 Years Major Joe Gerretz...................30 Years
Corporal Erik Spoor Department of Detention & Corrections South Divison Deputy Cody Stepp Department of Detention & Corrections North Divison Sergeant Melinda Stowell Department of Detention & Corrections North Divison Deputy Corey Studt Patrol Operations Bureau Community Policing Deputy John Swangler II Patrol Operations Bureau Central District Heather Temple Support Services Bureau Forensic Science Division
Adrian Arnold 11/3/23, 30 years of service. Corey Bailey 11/15/23, 17 years of service. Patricia Barefoot 12/8/23, 10 years of service. Karen Brown 10/31/23, 22 years of service. Edwin Bryant Jr. 10/27/23, 25 years of service. Bill Byrd 10/20/23, 28 years of service. Jason Frederick 10/18/23, 22 years of service. Karen Greul 10/5/23, 27 years of service. Gary Lonsbury 10/9/23, 25 years of service. Dawn Lyons 12/15/23, 22 years of service. Randall Macy 10/10/23, 7 years of service. Martin Otano 9/25/23, 24 years of service. Jeanette Pettiford 12/1/23, 16 years of service. Rick Serra 10/20/23, 30 years of service. Thomas Sideris 11/27/23, 20 years of service. Tom Swetokos 10/5/23, 25 years of service. Denise Taylor 11/27/23, 22 years of service.
Due to the changing number of entries in this edition, we apologize for any unintended omissions. For promotions, transfers, and new hires, go to SONET, “Administration,” “Human Resources,” “Changes in the Troops.”
PAGE 10 | OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2023
John Torres-Esteves 12/1/23, 4 years of service. Justin Walsh 11/28/23, 10 years of service. Norma Watson 10/24/23, 21 years of service.
NEW HIRES Caleb Ahmad Criminal Justice Specialist Department of Detention & Corrections Raegan Alexander Deputy Recruit Department of Detention & Corrections Yamileth Barrera Public Records Specialist Public Records Processing Unit Tajh Blair Deputy Recruit Department of Detention & Corrections Juanita Bowman Security Specialist Department of Detention & Corrections Adam Broffman Inmate Property Technician Department of Detention & Corrections Joshua Carter Deputy Recruit Department of Detention & Corrections Brendan Colson Deputy Patrol Operations Bureau Jonathan Crawford Deputy Recruit Department of Detention & Corrections Joseph Cuttitta Deputy Recruit Department of Detention & Corrections Joshua Daniels Deputy Department of Detention & Corrections Theresa Dimmer Senior Application Support Analyst PRIME
George Dixon Jr. Deputy Recruit Department of Detention & Corrections
Brett Medlock Deputy Recruit Department of Detention & Corrections
Jonathan Sollog Deputy Recruit Department of Detention & Corrections
Shanon Feilinger Deputy Recruit Department of Detention & Corrections
Walter Mitchell Jr. School Crossing Guard Patrol Operations Bureau
Mark Spencer Deputy Patrol Operations Bureau
Lorenzo Garcia Deputy Recruit Department of Detention & Corrections
Cesar Nieves Jr. Deputy Recruit Department of Detention & Corrections
Conner Stacy Deputy Patrol Operations Bureau
Tanya Giordano Deputy Patrol Operations Bureau
Christina Nguyen Deputy Recruit Department of Detention & Corrections
Shanique Thompson Registered Nurse Support & Health Services Bureau
Dina Givens Public Safety Telecommunicator Support Services Bureau
Theoren O'Mara Deputy Recruit Department of Detention & Corrections
Jennifer Tripi Licensed Practical Nurse Support & Health Services Bureau
Bishop Grimes Deputy Recruit Department of Detention & Corrections
Julio Perilla Deputy Recruit Department of Detention & Corrections
Richard Trump Deputy Patrol Operations Bureau
Robert Hammack Criminal Justice Specialist Department of Detention & Corrections
Isabella RamaSanto Deputy Recruit Department of Detention & Corrections
Ashley Turnbeaugh Deputy Recruit Department of Detention & Corrections
Syed Hussain Deputy Patrol Operations Bureau
Ali Redzepi Deputy Recruit Department of Detention & Corrections
Caden Tuthill Deputy Recruit Department of Detention & Corrections
Dallas Kaiser Deputy Patrol Operations Bureau
Shayla Rhodes Deputy Recruit Department of Detention & Corrections
Lori Valdalez Registered Nurse Support & Health Services Bureau
Abdullah Khaleel Criminal Justice Specialist Department of Detention & Corrections
Richard Robie Deputy Recruit Department of Detention & Corrections
Liam Vining Fleet Technician II Support Services Bureau
Kyle Kilian Deputy Patrol Operations Bureau
Paula Rogers Licensed Practical Nurse Support and Health Services Bureau
John Wholley Deputy Recruit Department of Detention & Corrections
Tyron Langston Deputy Recruit Department of Detention & Corrections
Tristan Russo Criminal Justice Specialist Department of Detention & Corrections
Isaiah Young Deputy Patrol Operations Bureau
Felipe Martinez Deputy Patrol Operations Bureau
Alyssa Sauer Public Safety Telecommunicator Support Services Bureau
Samantha Weitz Classification Specialist Support & Health Services Bureau
Colten McGee Criminal Justice Specialist Department of Detention & Corrections
Jaclyn Short Deputy Patrol Operations Bureau
Desmond Mckissick School Crossing Guard Patrol Operations Bureau
Dmytriy Snitko Deputy Recruit Department of Detention & Corrections
OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2023 | PAGE 11
As we celebrate 50 years of the Canine Unit at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), let’s look back on some of the dogs and their handlers who contributed to making the unit great over the last five decades. Members who join K-9 aren’t just trying out a specialized unit to gain a new experience, they’re committing to an all-encompassing lifestyle for six years or more – a life that includes daily training, long hours, extremely dangerous conditions, and 24-hour care of their partner both on duty and off. The dogs live with their handlers, becoming more than pets, more than law enforcement tools, but trusted partners and friends. PCSO thanks all K-9 handlers and their dogs, past and present, and looks forward to seeing the unit become bigger and better than ever!
Left: Handler Ken Kubler had K-9 Brawn, who was an apprehension and cadaver dog. Top Right: PCSO’s first female K-9 handler trains with her K-9 Bear, and Dale Engerer. Bottom Right: Handler Kent Johnson trains Major in bite work in 1989.
Information/photos provided by PCSO Archive Historian Penny Cooke.