[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 83 (Wednesday, May 17, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E454]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CONGRESSIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AWARDS

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                           HON. VERN BUCHANAN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 17, 2023

  Mr. BUCHANAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to law 
enforcement men and women who have provided distinguished service to 
the people of Florida's 16th Congressional District.
  Law enforcement is a demanding profession that requires sacrifice, 
courage, and dedication to serve others. Every day, brave men and women 
put themselves in harm's way to enforce the laws of our society and 
protect public safety. They deserve our gratitude and respect.
  Thirteen years ago, I established the 16th District Congressional Law 
Enforcement Awards to give special recognition to law enforcement 
officers, departments, or units for exceptional achievement.
  This year, I will present congressional law enforcement awards to the 
following winners chosen by an independent panel comprised of current 
and retired law enforcement personnel representing a cross-section of 
the district's law enforcement community:
  Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award: Lieutenant John Hurd, 
Lieutenant Nicholas Pruitt, Sergeant Robert Hendrickson, Detective 
Tyler Ackerman, Detective Imran Din, Detective Christopher Foy, Deputy 
Michael Davis, Deputy Nicholas DiFilippo, Deputy Amy Dunkum, Deputy 
Camilo Garcia-Fajardo, Deputy Kevin Gonzalez, Deputy Joshua Groover, 
Deputy Connor Hartley, Deputy Stephen Hill, Deputy Tristan Knutson, 
Deputy Alexis Lyon, Deputy Joseph Maggio, Deputy Kelli McLaughlin, 
Deputy Andrew Rodman, Deputy Hurly Smith, Deputy Adam Spatafora, Deputy 
Serissa Thompson, Deputy Randall Walker, and Deputy Aaron Winslow of 
the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
  Dedication and Professionalism Award: Special Agent K. Dino Balos of 
the ATF, Officer Joshua Small of the Bradenton Police Department, 
Trooper Taylor Ledford of the Florida Highway Patrol, and Master 
Detective Juan Lazu, Jr. and Detective Michael Fernandes of the 
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
  Gary Tibbetts Career Service Award: Major William ``B.G.'' Dixon of 
the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
  Preservation of Life Award: Detective William Mulligan of the 
Bradenton Police Department, Trooper Kevin Tomberlin of the Florida 
Highway Patrol, Deputy Alexander Maldonado and Deputy Kevin Reich of 
the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Sergeant Thomas Fraser and 
Officer Alex Hurt of the Holmes Beach Police Department, Detective 
Grace King, Deputy Ryan Emkey, Deputy Jared Leggett, Deputy Michael 
Mahoney, Deputy Micah Osornio, Deputy Christian Ruiz, Deputy Monica 
Ruiz, Deputy Matthew Schwartz, Deputy Reaghn Simandl, and Deputy Ty 
Simandl of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
  Unit Citation Award: Florida Highway Patrol Troop C Criminal 
Interdiction Unit: Sergeant Joshua Malloy, Trooper Jeremy Fields, 
Trooper Wesley Kelly, Trooper Deryck Lewis, Trooper Chris Nottingham, 
Trooper Sergio Pearce, Trooper Eric Schaub, K-9 Flip, K-9 Titan, and K-
9 Lobo; Manatee County Search and Rescue: Deputy Jared Leggett of the 
Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

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