The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office recognized the six employees of the month and presented one Lifesaving award and one Purple Heart award, as a part of the monthly Sheriff's Meritorious Awards Ceremony yesterday. "Day in and day out these officers demonstrate that they are well trained and dedicated to the citizens of Jacksonville. I am proud to recognize each of them and their accomplishments," said Sheriff John Rutherford.     

Police Officer of the Month ~ sponsored by Burger King; Police Officer John T. Whitcomb, Zone 4- Patrol Officer Whitcomb was recognized because he was responsible for eight felony arrests that cleared seven outstanding cases from Sept. 7 to Sept 15, 2007.  He was instrumental in the arrests of the following suspects: four robbery suspects, a person who was wanted for one Auto Theft and two attempted Auto Thefts, a driver of a car who fled the scene after a "Hit and Run" and also his passenger for possession of crack cocaine, and a man wanted for Burglary and Dealing in Stolen Property. Several of the arrests for which he was recognized occurred as a direct result of citizen tips. He was commended for his commitment to community policing and building relationships in the area he patrols.
 
Corrections Officer of the Month~ Sponsored by Coggin Automotive; Corrections Officer Brian A. Nielson, Pre-Trial Detention Facility  
C.O. Brian Nielson won because of his compassion for others. On Sept. 21, 2007 he saw a news story about a transient that was found dead earlier that month. The story reported that JSO was asking the public for help in identifying the deceased person and locating the next of kin. C.O. Nielson recognized the deceased as someone who had been recently been released from the PTDF and he took the time to locate the next of kin's contact information. He then ensured that the information was forwarded to the Homicide Detective handling the case so that the family could be notified. C.O. Nelson's actions demonstrate that he is a man of character who cares for others.

Civilian Employee of the Month~ Sponsored by Solantic; Personnel Clerk David Albert, Human Resources
David Albert is the Civilian of the Month because he always "goes the extra mile" for the employees of JSO. Albert is responsible for managing the JSO tuition reimbursement program. He assists the more than 120 employees who have returned to school for the 2008 spring semester with all of the necessary paperwork and procedures needed to ensure they receive proper reimbursement for their education. He is also responsible for maintaining the City and State incentive pay records and makes sure that all employees who have taken additional training or courses receive the proper related pay increases.

Volunteer of the Month ~ Sponsored by Nimnicht Chevrolet, Teresa A. Gilleo
Mrs. Gilleo is March's Volunteer of the Month because she has worked tirelessly as a JSO volunteer for the last 13 years. Mrs. Gilleo has provided clerical assistance in the Robbery Unit, Internal Affairs Unit, Identification Unit, Cold Case Unit, and most recently in the Community Affairs Division and in the Operation Safe Streets office.

Teresa was also  recently named January's  WTLV's 2008 12 WHO CARE Community Service award recipient because for more than thirty-five years she volunteered with the  American Legion's Auxiliary, worked with Veterans and children, in addition to her work with the  JSO. 

Police Supervisor of the Month ~Sponsored by Stein-Mart; Police Sergeant Claude E. Ayoub
Police Sgt. Claude E. Ayoub is the Supervisor of the Month because of the excellent results of the four units under his command: Jacksonville Housing Authority/HUD, International Affairs Unit, Crime Prevention Unit, and the Parks and Recreation Liaison Officer. For example, on Oct. 24, 2007, Sgt. Ayoub and his officers conducted a knock and talk drug complaint in the Riviera Apartment Community which resulted in the seizure of: three firearms, $3,400 counterfeit U. S. currency, 267.3 grams of Cocaine and Ecstasy, and four felony arrests.

Sgt. Ayoub also participates many community oriented events such as the annual FOP "Shop with a Cop" and the Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranch Mobile Summer Camp.
 
Corrections Supervisor of the Month ~ Sponsored by Bealls Inc.; Corrections Sergeant Gabriel J. Bourgon
Corrections Sgt. Gabriel Bourgon is the Corrections Supervisor of the Month because of the excellent results he provides in the Releasing and Public Reception areas of the Pre Trial Detention Facility.
                                                               

He uses team building techniques to motivate his officers into performing with excellence.  Since he has been in charge, his crew has not had any errors on releases. And there have not been ANY complaints from the public concerning his area of responsibility. 

In the fall of 2007 Bourgon was given the additional duty of ensuring that all add on charges for current inmates are carried out. This includes warrants; add on charges, and capiases - for people who are already in jail.

From Oct. 1 to Nov. 6, 2007 the Department of Corrections served 471 capiases/warrants to inmates already incarcerated.

Of the 471, 291 or 62% were served on Watch Three, and 224 or 48% of them were served by Gabriel's crew, the Watch Three Green Squad officers. This was accomplished while his people processed 53% of the total jail releases for the same time period.

 Lifesaving Award ~ Sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police. Perry G. Yarber
On Nov. 21, 2007, Officer Yarber was covertly following a suspect driving a stolen vehicle near 9000 Sibbald Road on the Northside, when the suspect sped through the intersection of Redpole and Pipit Aves and crashed into a citizen's vehicle. The collision caused the citizen's vehicle to roll over and burst into flames. The driver of the stolen vehicle fled the scene on foot, leaving two passengers in the car he was driving.

Officer Yarber stopped after the collision and heard a child's cries coming from the victim's car. He ran to assist the occupants. 

The citizen driving the other car, Mr. Charles Johnson, was trying to free his four-month-old child from the rear seat while the left side of the car was on flames. Officer Yarber was able to get the child out of the car, without the child sustaining any injuries.

Although the driver did flee the scene, Ofc. Yarber was able to interview two passengers in his car. One was a convicted felon who was in possession of a stolen handgun. And a small amount of marijuana was also recovered from the vehicle. 
 
Purple Heart Award ~Police Officer Nicholas A. Rodgers Zone 1. Officer Rodgers was awarded a Purple Heart for his injuries sustained in a shooting incident on Sept. 9, 2007. During an encounter with a suspicious person, the individual produced a .38 caliber revolver from his waistband, pointed the gun over his left shoulder and shot Officer Rodgers in the lower face. 

Seriously injured, Officer Rodgers returned fire and attempted to apprehend the suspect as the suspect fled on foot. He also called for back-up, gave a description of the suspect, and provided the direction in which the suspect was traveling.  The suspect was arrested 30 minutes after the shooting, 3 blocks away. On February 28, 2008, the suspect was found guilty of Attempted 1st degree murder.

The mission of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is to protect the lives and property of the citizens of this community, to preserve the peace and to prevent crime and disorder while constantly guarding personal liberties as prescribed by law.

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