Orange County Sheriff's efforts are awarded tomorrow

Orange County Sheriff’s Office Awards Ceremony

WHAT: 2017 OCSO Awards Ceremony

WHEN: Today at 2:00 PM

WHERE: Training Room 1 @ 2500 West Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32804

WHO: Various members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office along with members of our community who has gone above and beyond in Making A Difference.

Sheriff Jerry Demings will present several individuals with their certificates and medals... among them are:

Certificate of Appreciation to Alyssa Vasquez, 16 YOA (Citizen). On February 28, 2017, while shopping at a local store, Alyssa Vazquez witnessed a suspect enter the store and commit an armed robbery. She ran out to her father’s vehicle and told him about the robbery. Mr. Pena immediately called 911 and proceeded to follow the suspect who left on foot. As he followed at a safe distance, he provided updates on the location to responding deputies. Her actions aided in the capture of a violent felon without regard for her own safety.

Medal of Merit to Master Deputy Jeffrey Riggs. On March 20, 2017, a motorist suffered an epileptic seizure and blacked out. While unconscious, the motorist’s vehicle swerved and crossed the grassy median directly in front of on-coming traffic. The vehicle then collided with a pole and traveled into a retention pond. The vehicle became submerged with the driver and his 2 children inside. M/D Riggs removed the driver from the vehicle with little concern for his own safety, he returned to the vehicle and assisted a number of citizens in rescuing the 2 children from the back seat. All the occupants of the vehicle were successfully evacuated and treated by rescue units.

Medal of Merit to Sgt. Steve Fortier, State Corrections Officer James Miller.

On March 9, 2017, a single vehicle ran off the roadway and struck a palm tree. Without hesitation, both Sergeant Fortier and Officer Miller jumped into action and assisted by pulling the driver out of the vehicle which immediately caught fire. Their performance under pressure, leadership at the scene, and overall commitment to assist reflect greatly on their character.

Medal of Merit (Master Deputy Eric Lucas) and Medal of Valor and Combat Award (Deputy First Class Jonathon Brown)

On February 16, 2014, deputies responded to a domestic call where the wife reported her husband was angry and getting his shotgun. The suspect was reported to suffer from depression and taking Xanax pills. While entering the residence in an effort to free the wife and children, they encountered the suspect with the shotgun pacing back and forth. When the suspect exited the back sliding glass door, they entered the house where they were able to get the victim and her children out of the residence. Once all family members were safely removed from the house, DFC Brown positioned himself at the rear of the residence. After an hour and 45 minutes, the suspect walked out of the rear sliding glass door with his shotgun in hand. When the suspect was challenged, he raised the shotgun at DFC Brown. DFC Brown fired one round, striking the suspect in the left side of his chest. If not for their brave actions, the victims may have been killed by the suspect. Their courage made a difference.