Editor’s Note: This is the eighth in a series of 24 articles published by The Apopka Voice in 2017 that were among the most noteworthy. We will post all of them from December 26th and December 31st. Then on Monday, January 1st we will poll our readers and let them decide which is Apopka's biggest story of 2017.
Story #8: One of the first responders to the Pulse Nightclub shooting wins APD Officer of the Year
First published June 10th, 2017
2016 was a noteworthy year for Officer Josean Velez-Cantres of the Apopka Police Department.
On June 12, 2016, Velez-Cantres responded to a call at the Pulse Night Club shooting in Orlando during what turned out to be the worst mass-casualty shooting in United States history. Officer Velez-Cantres, also a member of the Central Florida Metro SWAT team, was one of 35 officers that entered the club and assisted with the rescue and evacuation of the victims who had been shot and severely injured.
Two days later, while on his way back to Apopka from an event in Orlando, he was flagged down by a family whose son was having a seizure. Velez-Cantres stopped, got the family immediate medical assistance their son needed, and stayed with them to calm them down.
“We were terrified and borderline helpless…until you came along,” said the boy’s mother in an email a few days later. “Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart, our family can’t say thank you enough. My dad served as a K-9 cop for half of his career and we often say they don’t make cops like they used to, but you sir, proved us wrong.”
Velez-Cantres was named "Officer of the Year" at the Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce's 2017 Black Tie Gala last night at the Highland Manor. APD Chief Michael McKinley spoke on his behalf.
"During his career, he has demonstrated an extraordinary work ethic and unparalleled dedication to his oath of office," said McKinley during the award ceremony. "The four key principles of the Apopka Police Department are integrity, respect, fairness, and courage. Officer Velez-Cantres clearly understands the agency's philosophy, vision, values and principles and displays them every day whether he is on or off duty.The Apopka Police Department is extremely lucky and proud to have an employee like Officer Velez-Cantres and we are honored that he is being recognized here tonight as the Apopka Police Department's Officer of the Year."
