[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 141 (Friday, September 1, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING CHIEF JEFFREY M. O'DELL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 1, 2023

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, Chief Jeffrey M. O'Dell was born in 
Jacksonville, North Carolina, and is a second-generation police 
officer. He served with the Orlando Police Department for 27 years 
before retiring in 2013. His father retired in 1989 after 25 years of 
service with the City of Orlando. Chief O'Dell received his Bachelor of 
Arts in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia College. He also 
completed the University of Louisville Southern Police Institute 
Command Officers Development Course.
  Chief O'Dell graduated from the Police Academy in February 1986. He 
worked in various assignments throughout his 27-year career in Orlando, 
including Patrol, the Neighborhood Patrol Unit, the Undercover and 
Uniform Drug Enforcement Units, the Intelligence Unit, the Bike Patrol 
Unit, the Field Training and Recruiting Unit, Violent Crimes 
Investigations, and as commander of the Criminal Investigations, 
Special Operations, Airport, and Crime Prevention divisions.
  On June 1, 2011, Jeffrey M. O'Dell was appointed deputy chief of 
police by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. He served as the Patrol Services 
Bureau commander and High-Risk Incident commander until his retirement 
in January 2013.
  Chief O'Dell also served as the Emergency Response Team commander for 
3 years and on the Orlando Police Department SWAT Team for more than 18 
years, holding every position from entry team member to team commander.
  Jeff O'Dell was hired by the Kissimmee Police Department on January 
2, 2013, and was appointed chief of police on August 10, 2016.
  Chief O'Dell is an active member of the International Association of 
Chiefs of Police, the Florida Police Chief Association, the Central 
Florida Criminal Justice Association, and the Florida SWAT Association. 
He also serves on the boards for the Osceola Boys and Girls Club, the 
Osceola Technical College Criminal Justice Academy, the Park Place 
Behavioral Healthcare, and Help Now of Osceola.
  Chief Jeff O'Dell has been married for 38 years to Kimberly L. 
O'Dell, president of O'Dell Group Management in Winter Garden, Florida. 
They have 2 children, Brittney and Tanner.

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