Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office


2007 EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR

Sheriff Charlie Morris initiated yearly, quarterly and monthly awards for outstanding employees when he took office in 1997. Employees are recognized for their outstanding performance monthly, quarterly and yearly. Sheriff Morris is a firm believer in employee recognition. The 2007 Employees of the Year are Deputy Sheriff Matt Abbott and Crime Prevention Specialist Ashley Bailey.

Deputy Sheriff Matt Abbott has been selected by the supervisory staff as the 2007 Sworn Employee of the Year.  The Sworn Employee of the Year is chosen for his exceptional performance and contribution to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputy Abbott started with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office in February, 2006, and is assigned to the Field Services Division.  Matt grew up drawn to law enforcement having a father in the profession.  He obtained his BA Degree in Criminal Justice and quickly went to work.  He served three years as a Communication’s Officer with the Fort Walton Beach Police Department and joined the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Posse as soon as he was eligible.  Obtaining a sworn position with our agency was a goal achieved, but he obviously does not intend to slow down.

Deputy Abbott is extremely motivated and competent, especially when considering his tenure.  He exercises sound judgment and is always looking for something to do.  He has consistently performed far above average when compared to other deputies.  Consequently, he has been nominated twice for Deputy of the Quarter.  In addition, he has received the Life Saving Award and the Medal of Merit this year for separate incidents worthy of such recognition.

Deputy Abbott has shown the highest level of activity on his shift in several key areas throughout the year.  He handles more calls, arrests more suspects, and self generates the most activity on a continual basis.  The average number of calls handled by a south patrol deputy this year was about 1,150 per unit.  Deputy Abbott’s calls for the year totaled 2,522, well over twice the average.  The average number of probable cause arrests by a south patrol deputy was about 31 per unit.  Matt had more than three times the average with 110, more than any other Patrol Deputy.  If you include his 62 warrant services, Matt rounded up 172 suspects and wanted persons this year.  Due to his proficiency and efficiency, he managed to demonstrate this unmatched productivity in these and other areas without neglecting his reporting or case management.

Deputy Abbott’s motivation and enthusiasm for the job is contagious and has spread among his peers.  His success has not caused him to be arrogant or complacent.   He has attended at least five advanced and specialized training courses this year and is always seeking ways to improve his already noteworthy performance.  Deputy Abbott’s drive and energy come from his desire to make a difference in the community rather than attain notoriety or personal recognition.   Deputy Abbott will continue to set the standard and raise the bar for performance and productivity levels.

           We are proud to present Deputy Sheriff Matt Abbott as the 2007 Sworn Employee of the Year and thank him for his exemplary performance.  Please offer your congratulations to Deputy Morgan for his commendable achievement. 

Ashley Bailey  has been selected by the supervisory staff as the 2007 Non Sworn Employee of the Year.  The Non Sworn Employee of the Year is chosen for her exceptional performance and contribution to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

Ashley started her career with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office in November, 2004, and is one of our Crime Prevention Officers.  Ashley strives for perfection and is very driven to serve the community to the best of her ability.  Here are a few of her accomplishments for 2007:

·        Ashley worked with the Information Technology Department to implement the “Take Me Home” Program.  She scheduled time at schools, churches, and other locations in order to take current photographs and obtain necessary information on citizens in Okaloosa County who meet the requirements of this program.  This program is for both adults and children with disabilities that may render them incapable of telling law enforcement where they reside.

·        Ashley implemented CASE – Communities Against Senior Exploitation.  This program addresses Identity Theft, Telemarketing Fraud, Mail & Internet Fraud, Home Improvement Fraud, Investment Fraud, Caregiver Explotation, and Predatory Lending Scams.  Ashley has given many seminars on this program to the community.

·        Ashley also implemented the “Seniors Helping Seniors” program with tenacity and commitment.  This program was well received in the north end of Okaloosa County.

·        Ashley continued her involvement in “Teen Court” and has taken several students under her wing.  These students are now doing well in school and have a more directed purpose because of her efforts.

·        Ashley took on a “mentoring” roll in order to help high school seniors achieve community service hours for their college applications.

·        Ashley reviewed several telecommunication programs that check on the status of the elderly or disabled daily.  She recently recommended that the Sheriff’s Office use the CARE Program.  This program is set for implementation by the end of January, 2008.

·        Ashley also reviewed programs that other entities in our county could use, such as Communities for a Lifetime.  While this was not a project she could take on, it was one that she recommended to the Board of County Commissioners to review to assist with making our county a safer place to live, work, and play.

          Ashley constantly demonstrates her willingness to serve the citizens of Okaloosa County.  She has continued to assist deputies with their concerns by providing training at shift briefings.  She also assists the school resource officers with presentations on such topics as bullying, internet safety for parents and children, and safety tips keeping children from being abducted. 

          Ashley Bailey will be presented with an award commemorating her selection.  We are proud to present Ashley as the 2007 Non Sworn Employee of the Year and thank her for her exemplary performance.  Please offer your congratulations to Ashley Bailey for her commendable achievement.  

2007 SWORN EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR RUNNER-UP

Deputy Sheriff Shannon Tait has been selected by the supervisory staff as the 2007 Sworn Employee of the Year Runner-Up.  The Runner-Up Sworn Employee of the Year is chosen for her exceptional performance and contribution to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputy Tait started her career with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office in April, 2005, and is assigned to Charlie Shift in the Field Services Division.   In the short time since completing her field training, she rapidly attained the skills of a seasoned law enforcement officer.  In December, Deputy Tait was selected to be a member of the Problem Oriented Policing Unit (POP Squad).   Shannon is driven to do everything in her ability to serve the community.  She strives for perfection and demonstrates the best traits of professionalism in all that she does.

During 2007, Deputy Tait served the community in the Wright neighborhood known as Zone 15, which is one of the busiest areas in the county.  This area presents daily challenges to which Deputy Tait always gives her very best.  This past year, Shannon investigated almost 1500 incidents.  She generated approximately 184 offense reports with close to 60 of those cases being closed by arrest.  In October, Shannon developed leads during the course of a burglary investigation which lead to the arrest to two business burglars.  This investigation lead to the recovery of thousands of dollars worth of stolen property and the closure of several business burglaries.  She was also responsible for the capture and arrest of approximately ten burglars in various other cases in 2007.

Deputy Tait has been nominated several times for Deputy of the Quarter and this is the second year in a row that she has been nominated for deputy of the year.  This in itself is quite an honor as Charlie Shift has many outstanding members with a great many senior officers who have many years of experience.  Deputy Tait has demonstrated a dedication to her duties that has consistently placed her above her peers on the shift.   Her enthusiasm is an example to her fellow members of the shift and her commitment to her duties and professionalism has been noticed by more than just her shift mates. 

We are proud to present Deputy Sheriff Shannon Tait as the 2007 Sworn Employee of the Year Runner Up and thank her for her exemplary performance.  Please offer your congratulations to Deputy Tait for her commendable achievement. 

EMPLOYEES OF THE QUARTER
April 29, 2008

 

The Employees of the Quarter for the 1st Quarter of 2008 are Deputy Sheriff Frank Taylor,  Deputy Sheriff Phillip White, and Communications Officer Audrey Bishop. The employees were commended during a ceremony which was held April 29, 2008.

Deputy Sheriff Frank Taylor and Deputy Sheriff Phillip White have been selected by the supervisory staff as the Sworn Employees of the Quarter for the 1st quarter of 2008.  The Sworn Employees of the Quarter are chosen for their exceptional performance and contribution to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.  Deputy Taylor and Deputy White are currently assigned to the D Shift South.

          During late 2007 and early 2008, our county was plagued with a significant number of home invasion robberies.  These robberies were violent and extremely discomforting to the resident of our county.  Deputies Taylor and White were largely responsible for identifying the perpetrators and ultimately ending these crimes committed by separate groups.  Both incidents were textbook examples of how effective an alert and motivated officer can make a difference.

Deputy F. Taylor

           In the morning hours of January 24th, 2008, members of D shift responded to a Home Invasion robbery in the Sylvania Heights community of Fort Walton Beach.  This robbery was particularly violent requiring that the victim be hospitalized from the severe beating he suffered at the hands of the suspects.  A witness provided a generic description of a Budget rental van seen in the area of the crime.  The description was broadcast to available units.

          Deputy Frank Taylor was scouring neighborhoods in search of a vehicle matching the description provided.  This was a particularly difficult task given the time lapse and unknown direction of travel.  45 minutes after the incident was reported, Deputy Taylor advised that he had found a van matching the description.  This may not seem notable on the surface and just the good fortune to be in the right place at the right time.  However, it should be noted that the suspects had taken great pains to conceal the van, backing it in between two mobile homes placed parallel to the road.  The location and placement required astute observation on Deputy Taylor’s part.  This was 3 minutes before the end of his shift which then became much longer.

          The van turned out to be the one used in the robbery and resulting investigation revealed the identities of the two main culprits in the string of violent crimes.  Deputy Taylor, taking his job very seriously, found the evidence that ended this streak of violent events.  His attentiveness and commitment brought a halt to this disturbing string of crimes.

Deputy Phillip White

          On the night of February 2, 2008, members of D shift responded to an Armed Home Invasion Robbery in Destin.  This was another in a significant pattern of such events that had been plaguing our area.  This robbery was committed against a medically disabled/retired Deputy Sheriff.  The suspects handled the victim roughly because of his former status and stole his handgun during the commission of the crime.  A witness provided a general description of a red car occupied by at least two black males.  The description was broadcast to available units.

          Deputy Phillip White was aware that crowds of teens had been using the Golden Age Club on Racetrack Road to congregate on weekends.  Feeling that the suspects might go there, he went to investigate.  Upon arrival he observed a maroon car, occupied by two black males, driving on the wrong side of Racetrack Road in order to shortcut into an adjacent parking lot.  He broadcast his location and proceeded to stop the car.  The two occupants fled on foot and Deputy White advised responding units of their direction and description.  He had the presence of mind to stop at the suspect car to look for evidence.  He noted evidence in the car tying the subjects to the crime and advised converging units of the information.  He stayed to protect the evidence trusting his shift mates to make the apprehension.

          Responding units converged and physically apprehended one of the subjects after a lengthy foot pursuit.  That suspect was still in possession of the ski mask he had used in the robbery.  A subsequent interview and investigation resulted in the apprehension of additional suspects who had been involved in this and several other violent crimes.

           The unfailing reliability of Deputy Taylor and Deputy White resulted in the capture of several dangerous subjects and relieved the fears of many in our community.  These results are significant in and of themselves; however, their attentiveness, faithfulness and willingness to work with peers is what distinguished them as deserving this recognition.

          Deputy Sheriff Frank Taylor and Deputy Phillip White will be presented with an award commemorating their selection.  We are proud to present them as Sworn Employees of the 1st Quarter and thank them for their exemplary performance.  Please offer your congratulations to Deputy Taylor and Deputy White for their commendable achievement. 

Audrey Bishop has been selected by the supervisory staff as the Non-Sworn Employee of the Quarter for the 1st Quarter of 2008.  The Employee of the Quarter is chosen for her exceptional performance and contribution to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.  Audrey started her employment with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office in August, 2000 and works in our Communications Center.

          On February 29, 2008, Audrey was working Channel 4 and received a message via FCIC from the Charlotte county Sheriff’s Office reference a possible suicidal person in the District 4 area.  While creating the call for service it was discovered the address would not verify in the CAD.  In addition, the phone number provided was not in working order.  At that time Audrey began the coordination process with Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office in an attempt to verify the address provided and verify the phone number of the complainant.  After numerous phone calls between our agency, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, Valparaiso Police Department, Niceville Police Department, and then a 911 call from the suicidal person herself, an address was finally verified, units dispatched and the situation resolved.

          This is typical of Audrey’s performance.  She maintains composure during stressful situations and continually goes that extra mile to ensure the job gets done correctly.  Audrey epitomized the term professional.  Her dedication to duty reflects credit upon herself and our agency. 

          Audrey will be presented with an award commemorating her selection.  We are proud of our nomination of Audrey Bishop as Non-Sworn Employee of the Quarter and thank her for her exemplary performance.  Please offer your congratulations to Audrey Bishop for her commendable achievement.

LIFESAVING & VALOR AWARDS
April 29, 2008


Lifesaving Awards: Trooper Cary Hurst, Deputy Sheriff Jeff Morgan, Deputy Sheriff Matt Abbott, Posse Member W. Lantz, Firefighter Richard Cook.
Valor Award: Sergeant Bobby Maloney

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Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office
1250 North Eglin parkway
Shalimar, FL 32579
(850) 651-7410