here’s your new chief deputy - volusia sheriff

The Green & White: A Volusia County Sheriff’s Office newsletter

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Here’s your new chief deputy Bobby Jones heads the list of promotions as Mike Coffin departs

ith his second-in-command off to become New Smyrna Beach’s top

cop, Sheriff Ben Johnson’s command staff underwent a make-over

Tuesday that included the promotion of veteran lawman Robert

Jones as the agency’s new chief deputy.

His more than 27 years of well-rounded experience, including commanding the

district operations in Deltona as well

as two of the agency’s three

operating divisions, made Jones the

logical choice to be his right hand in

the organization, according to

Sheriff Johnson.

Others earning promotion to their

new ranks included Major Shane

Summers, Captain Paul Kammerer,

Lieutenant Lou Marino and Sergeant

Brian Cobb.

While the promotions were

announced within the agency last week, Sheriff Johnson made them official on

Tuesday during a ceremony in front of a packed house at the Deputy Stephen

Saboda Training Center in Daytona Beach.

“We’ve got a lot of good people to promote from,” said Sheriff Johnson. “I feel

very fortunate about the caliber of the people that we have to run this

organization.” (CONTINUED ON PAGE 7)

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AGENCY NEWS, EMPLOYEE UPDATES AND OTHER INFORMATION FROM YOUR VOLUSIA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE MARCH 2015

IN THIS ISSUE: SAVING LIVES | BEST OF 2014 | PROMOTIONS | AND MORE…

Chief Deputy Robert Jones has his new badge pinned on his

uniform by son Robbie, with wife Nancye and son Gene

looking on.


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Sgt. James Day, Sheriff Johnson and Deputy Christina Chaves

Sheriff Johnson honors 3 life-saving deputies Sgt. James Day, Deputy Christina Chaves and Deputy Brant Lickiss receive medals of merit

hey’re called deputy sheriffs, law enforcement officers, cops and peace officers. But three sheriff’s deputies have new monikers: life-savers.

Sheriff Johnson recently honored three deputies for savings lives in two different incidents. All three were awarded the agency’s medal of merit during an awards ceremony at the Sheriff’s Office’s Deputy Stephen Saboda Training Center in Daytona Beach. In one case, a deputy’s quick actions saved a choking child. In another, two deputies jumped into frigid water to rescue a driver whose vehicle had ended up in a drainage canal. “We’re real proud of you,” Sheriff Johnson told the trio. “You’ve made the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office real proud.”

The first incident occurred on Dec. 8, 2014. That’s when a pickup truck became partially submerged in chilly water after leaving the roadway and ending up in a drainage canal on International Speedway Boulevard near Red John Road. With the driver in distress and seemingly disoriented, two deputies – Sgt. James Day and Deputy Christina Chaves – came onto the scene at the exact right time, and without a moment to spare. Without hesitation, both deputies jumped into the frigid water, extricated the victim from the truck and assisted him to the embankment and awaiting paramedics. It was later determined that the driver had suffered a medical episode. “Sgt. Day and Deputy Chaves’ swift and calm intervention, despite potential danger to themselves, prevented this incident from becoming a tragedy with a loss of a life,” notes the citation that accompanied the medal of merit.

In addition to Sheriff Johnson’s praise, Circuit Court Judge Matthew Foxman was on hand to pay tribute to his courtroom bailiff, Deputy Chaves. “She keeps us safe every day,” said Judge Foxman. “It makes me proud to work with her. It makes me proud to know her.”

On Jan. 3, a small, choking child was extremely fortunate that Deputy Brant Lickiss was around. It was on his first shift as a full-time deputy when he spotted a driver make an abrupt turn into a driveway in Deltona, hastily exit the vehicle and pull a 4-year-old child from the passenger seat. When he stopped to check things out, Deputy Lickiss quickly realized the girl was choking. As the girl’s lips began turning blue, the deputy quickly performed a series of strikes to the child’s back. The swift action managed to dislodge a piece of candy that had become stuck in the little girl’s throat. Along with the medal, Deputy Lickiss also received the thanks of Sheriff Johnson for a job well done and a citation which read in part: “Deputy Lickiss’

actions reflect the highest standards of the law enforcement profession and bring honor to both himself and to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.”

Added Sheriff Johnson: “You used your training to avert a tragedy.”

T

Sheriff Johnson and Deputy Brant Lickiss


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The best of the best of 2014

ive of the best representatives of the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office were honored Tuesday for the

exceptional work that made them 2014’s employees of the year.

The five honorees included four employees – sworn and civilian – and one volunteer, all of whom were

previous recipients of quarterly Sheriff’s Office awards in 2014.

Deputy Thomas Proctor took home the Deputy of the Year award. In August, Proctor rushed into a burning trailer

in Oak Hill, pulling an unconscious victim to safety where he and a second deputy performed chest compressions.

Proctor re-entered the trailer to make sure there weren’t any other victims inside. “I’m very proud of what you

did,” Sheriff Ben Johnson told Proctor on Tuesday morning. “It was very brave. You’ve done a great job – you’ve

earned this.”

Investigator of the Year Cordell Lemay spent many of his weekends and days off in 2014 investigating a complex

retail theft organization. “Nearly every day, Investigator Lemay came to work early and stayed late,” his supervisor

wrote in his nomination. “He worked on the weekends, on his days off and even in the middle of the night. He

sacrificed his personal life and free time in order to bring down this complex and devastating organization.” The

investigation revealed more than $1.25 million in thefts in just a year’s time. “You’ve earned it,” Sheriff Johnson

told Lemay as he received his award Tuesday. “You always do a great job.”

F

Pictured left to right: Employee of the Year Glenn Lopez, Telecommunicator of the Year Robyn Adair, Sheriff Johnson, Volunteer of the Year Margaret Clauser, Deputy

of the Year Thomas Proctor and Investigator of the Year Cordell Lemay.


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Employee of the Year Glenn Lopez was one of the keys to the transition from Volusia County’s separate emergency

dispatching centers to the consolidated communications center in place today. Lopez, the Sheriff’s Office liaison for

all the law enforcement, fire and ambulance agencies served by the communications center, excelled at a

demanding job, keeping the 24/7 system running smoothly. “You’ve been a credit to the Sheriff’s Office ever since

you’ve been here,” Sheriff Johnson said. “You’ve done a super job.”

Telecommunicator of the Year Robyn Adair was honored for her work, which included her handling of an October

911 call with no one speaking to her. Adair quickly realized the call was an accidental dial – and that the voices in

the background were talking about illegal drugs. Ultimately, the information she was able to glean from the call led

deputies to an active meth lab in Deltona where three people were arrested. “That was super,” Sheriff Johnson said

Tuesday. “You work hard, and you do a great job. It’s an honor and a pleasure to present this to you.”

Volunteer of the Year Margaret Clauser’s main responsibility is to advocate for victim compensation. In 2014, she

helped dozens of crime victims receive checks from the state to cover what they lost in property crimes. But she

also volunteers at the front desk of the Sheriff’s Office District 2 location in DeLand, helping the citizens who come

looking for law enforcement assistance. “We couldn’t do it without you volunteers,” Sheriff Johnson said Tuesday.

“We really appreciate it.”

The best of each quarter in 2014:

Deputy Investigator Civilian employee Telecommunicator Volunteer

First quarter John Szabo Jim Turner Glenn Lopez DaRohn Hampton Theodore Wing

Second quarter Mike Worlledge Lance Lamee Kathy Burnsed Christine Watts Margaret Clauser

Third quarter Thomas Proctor Cordell Lemay Cindy Pagliari Robyn Adair Bruce Grundish

Fourth quarter Christina Chaves Chastity Burke Samantha Collins Teddy Griffin John O’Brien

2014 Thomas Proctor Cordell Lemay Glenn Lopez Robyn Adair Margaret Clauser


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Caffeinated cops

Continuing “Coffee With A Cop” events across the county are giving residents face time with

the deputies in their neighborhoods

n a recent Wednesday morning at a bagel shop in Deltona, we met a young woman out for breakfast with her three kids. Their father, she said,

was in prison. Their uncle was recently killed in a convenience-store shooting. And she was worried that her boys were growing up associating law enforcement with the worst days of their lives.

As the boys talked with a sheriff’s sergeant and captain, they saw the good side of their local cops. That’s been a big part of the idea behind Coffee With A Cop, a series of small, informal community meetings that have been launched in law enforcement agencies across the country.

Not every meeting is packed full. Some are only attended by a handful of people. Some of those people are active community members who already have good relationships with the Sheriff’s Office. For them, the coffee is just another chance to have a conversation.

But those conversations have proven valuable. The overwhelming majority of those who have shown up for Coffee With A Cop have thanked the Sheriff’s Office and its employees for handling a wide variety of issues in their neighborhoods.

Stay tuned for more coffee in the future.

O


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School crossing guards: We appreciate you In February, we recognized “School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day”

ou see them every school day, manning crossings at busy intersections throughout the county to ensure that elementary school

students have a safe journey to and from campus. Despite their crucial role in student safety, the dedication and hard work of school crossing guards sometimes goes unrecognized. A week in February, however, brought an opportunity to not only honor their contributions, but also to celebrate school crossing guards for protecting young children. Throughout Volusia County and across the state, Feb. 6 was observed as school crossing guard appreciation day.

Their first priority is making sure that young students get across bustling roadways safely as they walk and bike to and from school each day. However, being a school crossing guard is much more than that. Crossing guards also help promote safety awareness for the motoring public and teach elementary school children good pedestrian safety habits as well. School crossing guard appreciation day is an annual event in Florida, celebrated each year on the first Friday in February.

But to Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson, whose agency employs 116 school crossing guards and crossing guard supervisors, this group of tireless, devoted public servants deserves way more than one day a year of recognition. “Our school crossing guards are out there every school day, braving the elements to make sure that elementary school students have safe passage to and from school,” said Sheriff Johnson. “We owe them a deep debt of gratitude for their service.”

The Volusia County Council and Volusia County School Board certainly agree. Both boards adopted proclamations of praise for the county’s school crossing guards. “School crossing guards provide an invaluable service to our community, often working in inclement weather and potentially hazardous situations to protect our children,” states the County Council proclamation. Added the School Board: “We acknowledge that crossing guards provide an invaluable service to our communities and they receive little recognition or compensation for their tireless efforts.”

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Pictured left to right: Lieutenant Lou Marino, Major Shane Summers, Sheriff Johnson, Captain Paul Kammerer and Sergeant

Brian Cobb.

(CONTINUED FROM THE FRONT)

The 51-year-old Jones, a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA, becomes the third chief

deputy under Sheriff Johnson since his election in 2000. Jones follows Bill Lee and Mike Coffin, who recently retired

from the Sheriff’s Office to become New Smyrna Beach Police Chief.

Jones – who has a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Warner Southern College – started his

career with the Sheriff’s Office in June 1987, working his way up through the ranks to command both the Law

Enforcement and Support Services divisions. While Support Services Division commander, Jones helped plan and

implement the Sheriff’s Office’s expansion into a consolidated dispatch center serving all public safety agencies in

the county. He also served stints as head of the Sheriff’s Office’s elite SWAT and Crime Suppression teams. In 1992

Jones was named the nation’s top cop by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, which bestowed upon him the

organization’s J. Edgar Hoover Gold Medal Award.

As chief deputy, the

second-highest rank in

the agency after Sheriff,

Jones will oversee the

daily operations of all

three operating

divisions as well as the

agency’s fiscal and

public information

operations. It’s a big job

and a tall order, and

one that Sheriff

Johnson said Jones is

clearly ready for.

“You’ve been here for a

long time working

hard,” noted Sheriff

Johnson said. “It’s truly

an earned position.” A DeLand native, Jones lives in Orange City with his wife, Nancye. The couple has two sons.

Another graduate of the FBI National Academy, the 46-year-old Summers got the nod from Sheriff Johnson to fill

Jones’ former slot and become the Sheriff’s Office’s newest major. Summers joined the Sheriff’s Office 20½ years

ago, in July 1994 after a stint as a patrol officer for the South Daytona Police Department. A U.S. Marine Corps

veteran, he has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Central Florida.

Summers’ resume of service with the Sheriff’s Office includes commanding the agency’s law enforcement

operations in DeLand and New Smyrna Beach. He also served as the Sheriff’s Office’s second homeland security

director. In his new assignment, Summers will command the Judicial Services Division, which includes court

security, prisoner transport, central records and the civil section. He takes over for Major Chico Mandizha, who has

assumed command of the Law Enforcement Services Division.

“It’s an honor and a pleasure to present you with your major’s badge,” said Sheriff Johnson. “I’m very proud of you.”


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Former Chief Deputy Mike Coffin receives his retirement plaque from

Sheriff Johnson.

Captain Kammerer joined the Sheriff’s Office in September 1997 after serving as a police officer in Port Orange and

a paramedic in New York. While he has spent some time over the last 17½ years in patrol and judicial services, the

bulk of Kammerer’s career with the Sheriff’s Office has been in investigations. His assignments there have included

narcotics investigations and supervisor of the multi-agency Volusia Bureau of Investigation (VBI).

As lieutenant, he also supervised other investigative components such as sex crimes, gang suppression and

Internet crimes against children, overseeing several successful on-line predator stings. In his new assignment, he

will serve as commander of Investigative Services. The 41-year-old Kammerer has a bachelor’s degree in criminal

justice management from Union Institute & University.

Hired in February 2005, Lieutenant Marino has served in road patrol, narcotics investigations as a supervisor with

VBI and as academic coordinator of the Sheriff’s Office’s training section. The 40-year-old Marino has a bachelor’s

degree in criminal justice from Keiser University. He will be serving as one of the Sheriff’s Office’s two night-time

watch commanders.

Sergeant Cobb has been with the Sheriff’s Office since August 2008, serving in road patrol and investigations. The

29-year-old will be going through an in-house supervisory training program before getting his permanent job

assignment.

Other recently announced staff reassignments include the following:

Captain Dave Brannon, commander of the District 4 office in Deltona, has been reassigned to command the District 2 office in DeLand. Lieutenant George Maddox will serve as the assistant district commander in DeLand.

Captain Erik Eagan and Lieutenant Don Taylor have been transferred from the District 2 office in DeLand to serve as commander and assistant commander of the District 4 office in Deltona. Lieutenant Joseph Gallagher, who had served as one of the two assistant district commanders in Deltona, has been transferred to investigative services.

Captain Charlie Brown has been transferred to the District 5 office in New Smyrna Beach as commander, replacing Major Summers.


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Promotions, awards, departures & new hires Promotions

January

Claudine Boring, promoted to Communications Coordinator

Jessica Brannan, promoted to Telecommunicator Supervisor

Margaret Carroll, promoted to Staff Assistant II

Sandra Hill, promoted to Accounting Specialist

James Oehmke, promoted to Telecommunicator Supervisor

Joyce Walker, promoted to Staff Assistant I Benjamin Yisrael, promoted to Sergeant

February

Kyle Bainbridge, promoted to Sergeant Kathryn Burnsed, promoted to Staff Assistant I Robert Jones, promoted to Chief Deputy Paul Kammerer, promoted to Captain Lou Marino, promoted to Lieutenant

Jessica Sapp, promoted to Staff Assistant I Stephen Spencer, promoted to Senior Deputy Shane Summers, promoted to Major Heather Welch, promoted to Senior Deputy

Awards

January

Unit Commendation to Sandy Shields, B.J. Rossetti and Karen French of the Accreditation Unit for outstanding performance during reaccreditation.

Silver Physical Fitness Awards to Deputy Ruben Escobar, Sgt. Patrick Thoman and Sgt. Timothy Webster.

February

Unit Commendation to Capt. David Brannon, Capt. Erik Eagan; Lt. Jessica Paugh; Sgt. Kyle Bainbridge; Sgt. David King; Sgt. Patrick Leahy; Sgt. Garey MacDowell; Sgt. Todd Smith; Sgt. Jason Stickels; Inv. Andrew

Calkins; Inv. Brian Cobb; Inv. Julian Elmazi; Inv. Charles Lee; Inv. Cordell Lemay; Inv. Austin Littleton; Inv. James Moore; Inv. Daniel Shivers; Inv. Heather Welch; Deputy Matthew Boorom; Deputy Brandon Cobb; Deputy Cody Cochran; Deputy Steven Edgecomb; Deputy Steven Eisen; Deputy William Leven; Deputy Patrick Omelia; Deputy Michael Roman; Deputy Matthew Seltzer; Deputy Anthony Zimmerer; Analyst Amanda Jillisky; and Deland Police Officer Richard D. Cody for their exhaustive efforts solving a series of violent armed robberies (with the arrests of 13 individuals in 18 cases) in Deltona, DeLand, Orange City and Sanford.

Medals of merit to Sgt. James Day and Deputy Christina Chaves for heroism in helping rescue a driver in a submerged vehicle.

Medal of merit to Deputy Brant Lickiss for life-saving actions that resulted in the saving of a choking child.

Departures

January

Telecommunicator Heather Burkhart Reserve Deputy Jeffrey Schutz Telecommunicator Angelica Brand Senior Deputy Ricky Wright Telecommunicator Michael Hogan

February

Deputy Alex Taylor Reserve Deputy Travis Glabman Deputy Ryan Mills Deputy William Moraitis Telecommunicator Thomas Wall Office Assistant Terry Laloo Office Assistant Sarah Green School crossing guard Margaret Baker School crossing guard Laurie Johnson Chief Deputy Mike Coffin


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Departures (continued)

March

Deputy John Harvey

New hires

January

Telecommunicator Stephanie DiPietrantonio Telecommunicator Marc Lusk Telecommunicator Thomas Wall Telecommunicator Sandra “Kay” Mowell Office Assistant Melissa Ballard Office Assistant Vada Jackson School crossing guard Linda Jensen

February

School crossing guard Frank Williamson

here’s your new chief deputy - volusia sheriff

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