The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office recognized the six employees of the month and presented one Six Pillars of Character award during the monthly Sheriff's Meritorious Award Ceremony held on June 26, 2008.  A Certificate of Appreciation and a combined Certificate of Commendation and Appreciation was also presented.  Mr. Herb Peyton, President of Gate Petroleum, gave a special presentation thanking the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and its Officers for their work following a robbery on Hendricks Avenue.

"Every month I have the honor of recognizing the hard work and dedication of our sworn, corrections and civilian personnel who have been nominated by their supervisors, and selected by the Merit Board. This is an opportunity to thank them personally for their commitment to the citizens we service, and I am proud to do so," said Sheriff John Rutherford, host of the event.

Police Officer of the Month ~ Sponsored by Burger King; Police Officer John J. Reynolds, Homeland Security/Career Criminal Unit
Officer John J. Reynolds is June's Police Officer of the Month because of the excellent results he has provided while working in the Crime Free Multi-Housing Unit on Jacksonville's Southside during 2007.  Crime Free Multi-Housing is a partnership between local apartment community managers, their residents, and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.  While Ofc. Reynolds was a member of Crime Free Multi-Housing Unit, he and his fellow officers made many Felony and Misdemeanor Arrests, recovered 19 stolen vehicles, seized over 5000 grams of illegal drugs and 62 firearms, and recovered $75,697 in U.S. currency.

Correction Officer of the Month ~ Sponsored by Coffin Automotive; Corrections Officer Albert T. Braddy, Pre-Trial Detention Facility
Albert T. Braddy is the Corrections Officer of the Month because he took the initiative and made a dangerous situation safer for all concerned.  He took it upon himself to direct traffic and established order after the Berkman Plaza II parking garage collapsed on December 6, 2007 causing serous destruction and traffic problems.  He cleared paths for the Emergency Response vehicles so they could reach the victims at the parking garage and he cleared the way for vehicles to enter and exit the site quickly and safely. 

Civilian Employee of the Month ~ Sponsored by Solantic; Police Emergency Communication Officer Patrice M. Georgeo, Communications Center
June's Civilian of the Month is Patrice M. Georgeo because she is an expert call taker in the receiving section of Jacksonville Sheriff's Office 9-1-1 operations.  Her experience helped to save the life of an armed, suicidal young woman, who was grieving the recent death of her mother.  Pat handled the caller with empathy and professionalism telling the woman about loosing her own mother a year earlier.  Pat was able to convince the woman that the police officers outside her home wanted to help her get through the crisis.  In the end Pat was able to encourage the woman to place the firearm on a kitchen table, in plain view of the officers, secure her dog, and leave the house to speak to the officers.  The woman was subsequently taken into custody and transported to the Mental Heath Resource Center (MHRC) to get the help she needed. 

Reserve Officer of the Month ~ Sponsored by Nimnicht Chevrolet; Reserve Officer Michael L. Scratch
Sergeant Michael L. Scratch is the Reserve Officer of the Month because he is a well trained reserve officer who can be counted on at all times.  Since starting as a Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Reserve Officer 17 years ago, Reserve Sgt. Scratch has worked in two man patrol units, special events, high school football games, and crime scene security.  In November of 2007, he was promoted to Sergeant and is now responsible for the day to day operations of his squad.  In addition to the years of service he has given the Sheriff's Office he is a full time architect for BSB Architects and Planners and is married with two teenage boys.  Even with all his responsibilities he has taken the time to not only volunteer for the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office for 17 years, but takes on the added responsibility of being a Sergeant. 

Police Supervisor of the Month ~ Sponsored by Stein Mart; Sergeant Joe M. Harbin, Zone 1
Sergeant Joe M. Harbin received the Police Supervisor of the Month award because of his great work in coordinating the rescue efforts at the ground zero collapse of the Berkman Plaza II parking garage on December 6, 2007.  Sgt. Harbin was the first supervisor to reach the site and he immediately assessed the situation and began organizing the rescue efforts.  After addressing the immediate danger Sgt. Harbin turned his attention to securing the scene and instructed arriving units to direct traffic in order to maintain control of the situation.

Corrections Supervisor of the Month ~ Sponsored by Beall's, Inc.; Sergeant Jerry W. Kirkpatrick, Pre-Trial Detention Facility
June's Corrections Supervisor of the Month is Corrections Sergeant Jerry W. Kirkpatrick because of his ability to think on his feet and react quickly for the betterment of a Jacksonville citizen on February 15, 2008.  Sgt. Kirkpatrick, while off duty, assisted a man that had lost consciousness and fell backwards striking his head on the concrete outside the Bank of America on Monument Road.  Sgt. Kirkpatrick immediately checked the victim's vital signs and contacted assistance from the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.  He also took the time and made sure that the man's belongings, including his vehicle, were returned to him.

Six Pillar of Character ~ Sponsored by "Character Counts! In Jacksonville"; Police Officer David A. Sciandra, Zone 3
Officer David A. Sciandra received June's Six Pillar of Character award because he displayed caring and compassion by continuing to check up on a runner that had collapsed by the 2-mile marker at the Gate River Run on March 8, 2008.  Ofc. Sciandra responded to the fallen runner and determined that he was in cardiac arrest.  Ofc. Sciandra contacted race control, called for a rescue unit, and initiated and sustained CPR until the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department arrived.  Following the incident, Ofc. Sciandra checked with the hospital for updates on Mr. Thomas' condition. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of all involved, Mr. Thomas passed away several weeks later.

The Six Pillars of Character award is given in partnership with Character Counts! In Jacksonville. Any JSO employee who demonstrates one of the six pillars of character is eligible for this award. Those characteristics are: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring or Citizenship. For more information about the Six Pillars of Character award, please go to www.coj.net/jso and click on the Six Pillars of Character Award link under INITIATIVES.                                                                  

Special Presentation by Gate Petroleum
Presented by Mr. Herb Peyton, President
Mr. Herb Peyton gave a special presentation during June's award ceremony thanking the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and the Officers who assisted in the apprehension of the suspects that robbed the Gate Station on 3938 Hendrix Ave on February 21, 2008. 

Civilian Certificate of Appreciation
Correctional Probation Officer Lee Griffin, III and Correctional Probation Officer Christopher Howell
State of Florida Department of Corrections, Probation and Parole Services, Correctional Probation Officers Lee Griffin and Christopher Howell received a Certificate of Appreciation for their great example that demonstrated how important Jacksonville Sheriff's Office's partners in law enforcement are to keeping the city safe.  On March 7, 2008 a parolee reported to his probation office on 10646 Haverford Road.  After seeing the parolee drive up in a Mustang, Probation Officers Howell and Griffin knew that something was wrong..  After searching the car they found a loaded 9mm Hi-Point Luger, several blank check books and identifications, assorted jewelry, black gloves, a crowbar, several cell phone, and traces of marijuana.  They immediately contacted Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and it was determined that the items belonged to a victim whose home had been burglarized. He was taken into custody by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and charged with several counts violating his parole, including possession of a firearm by a felon.

Combined Certificate of Commendation and Appreciation
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Corrections personnel and City of Jacksonville, Right of Way and Fair Ground Maintenance; Area Superintendent Artemus Holley, Kelly Sweat, and Jerry Dorman; Assistant Management Improvement Officer James Carroll
The collaboration between Mr. James Carroll and his people from the Right of Way and Grounds Maintenance Department, and Corrections Sergeants McWaters and Owens and their officers have helped to improve the Montgomery Correctional Center (MCC). The Montgomery Correctional Center makes sure that sentenced inmates perform the labor they have been required by the courts to perform.  The policy revisions consisted of better civilian management of inmates, and a 76% decrease in response time when a resident submits a Citizen Active Response Effort (CARE) ticket for help needed to clean up certain areas in Jacksonville. 

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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