05-20-2006, 01:29 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: RUSSELL SCHWEISS
TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2006 (850) 488-5394
GOVERNOR BUSH AWARDS FIRST MEDALS OF HEROISM TO THIRTEEN FLORIDA OFFICERS
TALLAHASSEE - Governor Jeb Bush today awarded the first Medals of Heroism to thirteen Florida public safety officers. The Governor’s Medal of Heroism was created by the Legislature to recognize individuals in the public safety sector who risked their lives in the line of duty to save another person.
“These heroic officers risked great personal harm in the line of duty to help their fellow citizens,” said Governor Bush. “On behalf of all Floridians, I thank them for their selfless service.”
The Governor’s Medal of Heroism was created by the Florida Legislature in 2003 to enable the state to recognize tremendous acts of heroism performed by members of Florida’s public safety sector, including law enforcement officers, correctional officers, emergency medical technicians and paramedics.
Nominations for this award can be submitted by anyone and all applications are sent to the Medal of Heroism Committee for review. The Governor’s Medal of Heroism Committee consists of eight members from the public safety sector who were appointed by the Governor to serve on this Committee. Upon review by the Committee, the applications are forwarded to the Governor’s office with the Committee’s recommendations.
The criteria for this award are:
· The candidate must have risked his or her life.
· The candidate must have known there was perilous risk
· The candidate performed the act in the capacity of his or her position
· The candidate’s actions were for the express purpose of saving a life.
The following individuals were today awarded the Governor’s Medal of Heroism:
· Master Police Officer Brian Lipsey of the Altamonte Springs Police Department assisted in the rescue of 4 individuals trapped in a fire at Remington Place Apartments.
· Officer George Festa of the North Miami Beach Police Department shot and disabled a fleeing suspect after the suspect had shot and disabled a fellow officer, preventing the suspect from harming his fellow officers.
· Patrol Officer Jeff Dyer of the Ocoee Police Department subdued his intoxicated neighbor with fellow officers when the neighbor attempted to commit suicide.
· Deputy Sheriff David Arthur of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office pulled a fatally injured motorcycle rider to safety before the cycle exploded.
· Officers Jonathan Adkins, Robert Costa, Alejandro Caro, Philip Maio and Dante Candelaria of the Orlando Police Department rescued a family from a burning apartment building. Officer Adkins arrived at the scene and, along with the other officers, ensured that the residents were able to evacuate the building. During the rescue, Officer Caro and Officer Candelaria helped an elderly grandmother carrying a child who fell inside the apartment. After exiting the building, the officers pushed a vehicle away from the building so that it would not catch fire and explode. Officers Maio, Caro, Costa and Candelaria were treated for smoke inhalation at Florida Hospital.
· Sergeant Sharon Armstrong, Officer Brian Webster, Officer Stephen Neff and Officer Kevin Jenks of the Gulf Breeze Police Department committed acts of heroism in the wake of Hurricane Ivan. Despite 100 mph winds, storm debris and torrential rain, Sergeant Armstrong and Officer Jenks were able to rescue an unconscious male who needed medical attention. Later that night, Officers Webster and Neff were able to rescue a mobility-impaired man and his wife with the assistance of a 5-ton Army vehicle. The rescuers waded through the water while tied to their vehicle and rescue the citizens.
For more information on the Governor’s Medal of Heroism, please visit www.myflorida.com (http://www.myflorida.com) <http://www.myflorida.com>.
TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2006 (850) 488-5394
GOVERNOR BUSH AWARDS FIRST MEDALS OF HEROISM TO THIRTEEN FLORIDA OFFICERS
TALLAHASSEE - Governor Jeb Bush today awarded the first Medals of Heroism to thirteen Florida public safety officers. The Governor’s Medal of Heroism was created by the Legislature to recognize individuals in the public safety sector who risked their lives in the line of duty to save another person.
“These heroic officers risked great personal harm in the line of duty to help their fellow citizens,” said Governor Bush. “On behalf of all Floridians, I thank them for their selfless service.”
The Governor’s Medal of Heroism was created by the Florida Legislature in 2003 to enable the state to recognize tremendous acts of heroism performed by members of Florida’s public safety sector, including law enforcement officers, correctional officers, emergency medical technicians and paramedics.
Nominations for this award can be submitted by anyone and all applications are sent to the Medal of Heroism Committee for review. The Governor’s Medal of Heroism Committee consists of eight members from the public safety sector who were appointed by the Governor to serve on this Committee. Upon review by the Committee, the applications are forwarded to the Governor’s office with the Committee’s recommendations.
The criteria for this award are:
· The candidate must have risked his or her life.
· The candidate must have known there was perilous risk
· The candidate performed the act in the capacity of his or her position
· The candidate’s actions were for the express purpose of saving a life.
The following individuals were today awarded the Governor’s Medal of Heroism:
· Master Police Officer Brian Lipsey of the Altamonte Springs Police Department assisted in the rescue of 4 individuals trapped in a fire at Remington Place Apartments.
· Officer George Festa of the North Miami Beach Police Department shot and disabled a fleeing suspect after the suspect had shot and disabled a fellow officer, preventing the suspect from harming his fellow officers.
· Patrol Officer Jeff Dyer of the Ocoee Police Department subdued his intoxicated neighbor with fellow officers when the neighbor attempted to commit suicide.
· Deputy Sheriff David Arthur of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office pulled a fatally injured motorcycle rider to safety before the cycle exploded.
· Officers Jonathan Adkins, Robert Costa, Alejandro Caro, Philip Maio and Dante Candelaria of the Orlando Police Department rescued a family from a burning apartment building. Officer Adkins arrived at the scene and, along with the other officers, ensured that the residents were able to evacuate the building. During the rescue, Officer Caro and Officer Candelaria helped an elderly grandmother carrying a child who fell inside the apartment. After exiting the building, the officers pushed a vehicle away from the building so that it would not catch fire and explode. Officers Maio, Caro, Costa and Candelaria were treated for smoke inhalation at Florida Hospital.
· Sergeant Sharon Armstrong, Officer Brian Webster, Officer Stephen Neff and Officer Kevin Jenks of the Gulf Breeze Police Department committed acts of heroism in the wake of Hurricane Ivan. Despite 100 mph winds, storm debris and torrential rain, Sergeant Armstrong and Officer Jenks were able to rescue an unconscious male who needed medical attention. Later that night, Officers Webster and Neff were able to rescue a mobility-impaired man and his wife with the assistance of a 5-ton Army vehicle. The rescuers waded through the water while tied to their vehicle and rescue the citizens.
For more information on the Governor’s Medal of Heroism, please visit www.myflorida.com (http://www.myflorida.com) <http://www.myflorida.com>.