Honoring BSO volunteer David Rush
February 27, 2008
Sheriff Al Lamberti presented longtime BSO volunteer David Rush with an honorary Deputy Sheriff’s badge at a recent Professional Standards Committee meeting. Mr. Rush serves on the committee, which strives to maintain high standards for BSO. In 1981, he helped start Broward County Crime Stoppers, of which he is now Director and Chairman Emeritus. A local businessman and inventor for decades, Mr. Rush has served as President and CEO of more than 12 companies.
Photo caption: Photographed (from l. to r.) are Director Roy Vrchota, Sheriff Al Lamberti, Honorary Deputy David Rush and Colonel Edward Werder.
Members of the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Beef O’ Brady’s and the Special Olympics gather together after raising $600.00 in donations for athletes of the Special Olympics. Chief John Hale, Cmdr. Marvin Stoner, Lt. Cynthia Adamsky and CSA Marmilly Medina served as celebrity waiters at the annual “Tip-A-Cop” fundraising event, this year hosted by Beef O’ Brady’s restaurant in Cooper City.
During the coming months, law enforcement personnel throughout Broward will be raising awareness and funds for the Special Olympics, to support children and adults with developmental disabilities.
For further information on other Special Olympics’ activities please call Kathleen Hanks at 954-327-2755.
BSAC Check Presentation to Ashley Reyka
February 22, 2008
Ashley Reyka, daughter of slain BSO Sergeant Chris Reyka, was recently presented with a check for $3,000 from the Broward Sheriff’s Advisory Council (B.S.A.C.) to assist in her education costs. The check was provided after the B.S.A.C. learned that Ashley was ready to return to school, but was having difficulty meeting the necessary expenses.
For the past 25 years, the B.S.A.C. has provided financial support to families of law enforcement officers who have been killed or have become disabled while serving their community. From assisting with living expenses to providing children with college scholarships, members of the B.S.A.C. do what they can to help these families stay afloat. The Council was created by then Sheriff Nick Navarro in 1985 and today consists of more than 50 members.
The next B.S.A.C. meeting will be on Thursday, March 20 at 6:00 p.m. aboard the Windridge Yacht. For information or reservations please call Harvey Young at 954-319-6444, or e-mail pookahmoss@yahoo.com.
(Pictured: Special guests and members of the B.S.A.C. meet for their first meeting of 2008. From left, Chief Louis Cavallo, chief of BSO’s North Lauderdale District; Art Santucci, BSO Executive Director of External Affairs; Drew Romanovitz, B.S.A.C. Vice Chairman; retired Sheriff Nick Navarro, B.S.A.C. Chairman; Colonel Edward Werder, BSO Executive Director of Law Enforcement; and Lt. David Benjamin, Executive Officer to Sheriff Al Lamberti)
BSO deputy stops assault on woman
February 15, 2008
After a Dania Beach resident reported hearing screams from an area behind a strip mall last Saturday, Dep. Eric Rodriguez arrived just in time to stop a registered sex offender from sexually assaulting a 55-year-old woman. Dep. Rodriguez approached quietly and startled the assailant, who tried to run. He didn’t get very far. Dep. Rodriguez used his Taser to stop and arrest the suspect, who is also a known gang member.
Investigators later determined that the felon grabbed the woman at knifepoint in the parking lot of the strip mall and forced her into a back alley, where he tried to sexually assault her. She was treated on scene for minor cuts. He is facing charges of armed kidnapping and attempted sexual battery.
We commend Dep. Rodriguez’s efforts in removing a dangerous felon from our streets.
FIREFIGHTERS ROUSE DEEP SLEEPER FROM SMOKE-FILLED APARTMENT
February 15, 2008
Angel Lebron (center), 56, gives information to BSO deputy John Gronna and firefighters Thursday afternoon after neighbors banged on his door to try to get him out. Just after 2:00 p.m. a neighbor saw smoke and heard a smoke alarm sounding inside unit #206 of the Sun Drift Apartments at 3181 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd. Lebron was sleeping in the bedroom of the second floor apartment as it filled with smoke. As Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Capt. Rod Watkins searched the apartment, he found Lebron, sound asleep, roused him and assisted him to safety. Firefighters found a pot burning on the stove. Watkins said “Another 15 minutes and this man could have died from the smoke.” There was a smoke alarm sounding in the living room, but it didn’t awaken Lebron. Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue paramedics checked out Lebron on the scene but he refused transport. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking fires are the number one cause of residential fires.
Photo by Mike Jachles/Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue
Program for Mentally Ill Inmates in BSO Jail a Success
February 14, 2008
An article exploring the benefits of a unique therapeutic program for some mentally ill Broward County jail inmates will be published in the Journal of Correctional Health Care. Mental Health Services manager Dr. Timothy Ludwig and former BSO mental health specialist Dr. Gina Hagar wrote the article after a 1 ½-year-long study of the Transitional Program Unit. The unit is designed to reduce the difficulties associated with housing mentally ill inmates alone in cells rather than allowing them to socialize with other inmates or receive mental health treatment.
The study showed that the program, which began in 2004, was a success for many inmates. By allowing the mentally ill men to interact with each other in a community area and work in group therapy settings with BSO mental health staff, their symptoms diminished enough to transition many of them into less-restrictive, dormitory-style mental health units. There are typically seven men in the Transitional Program Unit at a time. The length of stay varies with each inmate based on their sentences.
The article is expected to appear in the journal in October 2008.
BSO SHOWS BIKERS BASICS OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE
February 13, 2008
Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Motorcycle Unit member Chet Klug (at head) and Capt. David Erdman show the proper technique for safely removing a helmet from an injured motorcycle rider Tuesday night at the BSO Public Safety Bldg. About two dozen road captains from the Ft. Lauderdale chapter of the Harley Owners Group attended the training class led by Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Medical Director Dr. Nabil El Sanadi. El Sanadi, an emergency medicine physician, designed the course to teach motorcyclists how to handle roadside emergencies that bikers can encounter before paramedics arrive. El Sanadi told the group, “Improper removal of a helmet can cause further injury, even paralysis, to a downed biker.” Road Captain Nick Marando acted as the patient for the exercise. El Sanadi added, “The road captains will take the skills they learned during this training back to their members, so they can be better prepared for emergencies.” gave tips on how to deal with bodily trauma, as well as heat-related emergencies such as dehydration, heat exhaustion and sunburn.
Photo credit to Mike Jachles/Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue
BSO Detective Maury Hernandez throws the first pitch!
February 4, 2008
Broward Sheriff’s Office Detective Maury Hernandez (with brother Josue) prepares to throw the ceremonial first pitch at the Margate Youth Baseball League season kickoff on Saturday morning. Hernandez’s pitch was caught by Florida Marlins catcher Matt Treanor. Team mascot Billy the Marlin was also on the ball field. The Margate Youth Baseball League has over 650 kids from ages 4 to 16 playing on 53 teams. The league also holds the distinct honor of winning two state titles, a first for any league statewide. In their last season, they won the Mustang Division (9 and 10-year-olds) and Bronco Division (11 and 12-year-olds). The winning Bronco Division coach: league president (and Broward Sheriff) Al Lamberti, who has served as league president for seven years. Saturday’s Jamboree Celebration included rides, food, games and a display by the Margate Police Dept. and Broward Crime Stoppers who took DNA samples and fingerprinted kids for their parents’ safe keeping. Hernandez was critically wounded back in August, 2007 after being shot by a fleeing suspect in Pembroke Park.
