July 2, 2015
Captain Melissa Turney Earns National Jail Manager Certification
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office Captain
Melissa Turney recently received the
national designation of Certified Jail
Manager (CJM) by the authority of the
American Jail Association through the Jail
Manager Certification Commission.
This hallmark certification is granted upon the successful completion of a rigid
experiential background application and
an intensive four-hour examination jointly
prepared by the American Jail Association and the Jail Manager Certification
Commission. Certification in jail management is a demonstration of competency
and professionalism in the field. It documents the mastery of a strong level of
knowledge in the specialty and demonstrates continuing education and growth.
Captain Turney has been a member of
the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office for
18 years, and has spent the majority of
her career as a supervisor within the
Bureau of Detention. Capt. Turney has a
Master's Degree in Criminal Justice. In
May of this year she also completed the
prestigious Southern Police Institute's Administrative Officer's Course, where she
made the Dean's List.
The American Jail Association is a national, nonprofit, educational organization
delivering professional development,
personal certification, and advocacy
services to correctional personnel at all
ranks and operational levels working in
this Nation’s 3,200-plus jails and detention facilities. It is the only association of
its kind that focuses exclusively on issues
affecting today’s jail professional. Appointed by the association’s Board of
Directors, the five-member commission
administers the Certified Jail Officer
program, in addition to the Certified Jail
Manager program; sets policy; and assures the two programs reflect the
changing needs of the profession.
For more information, visit
www.a mericanjail.org/educa tion/
certifications/.
Junior Law Academy Underway; LE Motorcyle Club Sponsors 2
more than 50 children
attended the first session.
In order to make sure
that as many children
who wanted to attend
were able to do so,
some of the students
were ‘sponsored’ by
various individuals or
groups.
For the third year, the
Sheriff’s Office has
offered middle school
students something
different to do during
their summer vacation—
attend the Junior Law
Academy.
The first session of this
year’s session began on
June 15 and ended
today. During the Academy, the students
have the opportunity to learn about the
different functions and responsibilities of
the Sheriff’s Office and law enforcement
in general. They also took field trips to
visit some of the District Offices, the
Charlotte County Jail, the
Communications Center, the Justice
Center and the Medical Examiner’s
Office.
It wasn’t all work, though, because they
also had some fun trips to see a movie,
go bowling and go swimming.
The fee for each child to attend the
Academy was $70, which covered the
cost of two T-shirts and the admission for
the fun day trips.
Originally each
session was slotted for 30 students, but
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One of those groups is
the local branch of the Gunfighters
Motorcycle Club, which is made up of
current and former law enforcement
officer. Several of the members met the
students this morning at Murdock Middle
School for a group photo.
The next session of the Junior Law
Academy begins July 20 and runs
through August 7.
July 2, 2015
GRADUATIONS 2015
DFC Bill Miller and his wife, Debbie, caught a
photo of their daughter Nicole celebrating
her graduation on May 27 from Port
Charlotte High School!
Professional Compliance Specialist Terri Harris has double the reason to be proud. Her
daughter, Brittany Harris (left), graduated May 16 from Ave Maria Law School with her Juris
Doctorate. On May 27, her son, Trevor Harris (right) who had previously graduated from South
Western College with his EMT, graduated from the Englewood Fire Academy.
Corporal Craig Brandon had a lot of
graduations to celebrate in his family.
Starting in the upper left, Craig himself
graduated from Lynn University in Boca Raton
with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal
Justice.
Craig’s son, Craig Brandon Jr. (lower left)
received his high school diploma from the
Academy.
Craig’s two twin nieces, LaTuria and LoNeija
Brandon, graduated from DeSoto High
School.
And in the lower right, Craig’s great niece,
Rayna Hatcher graduated from preschool at
the Imagination Station 2 in Arcadia.
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July 2, 2015
Pink Heals Fire Truck
Comes to Town
When the Pink Heals Fire Truck came to town
to pay a visit to Debra Vargas, who has
been battling cancer for the past eight
years, Lt. Ed Ellinwood led the way. He is
pictured above with Keith Cortner from the
Pink Heals Fire Truck of SWFL. The truck is
signed by all that it visits. Below, the entire
Pink Heals group with Debra and her family
and friends.
Port Charlotte Boys &
Girls Club
Better Not Run from Us!
On June 4, the Juvenile Unit hosted students
from the Port Charlotte Boys and Girls Club
at the Mid-County Office. Several members
of the Sheriff’s Office spoke with the students
about the positive things that law
enforcement officers do.
The students
involved were Stephen Lomski, Stephanie
Manley, Elizabeth Vargas, Isabella
Gonzalez, Jason McCall, Romeo Vasquez and
Tayah Connors.
Look who attended the recent Memorial 5K /
10K race held in Punta Gorda. Pictured are
Diane Young, Yale Houghton, Katie and John
Heck, and Lee Pressley. Diane placed in her
age group in the 5K. Yale just missed
placing in his age group for the 10K. Katie,
Lee and John all placed in their age group in
the 10K.
Bye-Bye Wendy
Runners Abound
Perfect Pitch
Wendy Robinson received a Sheriff’s
Challenge coin from Sheriff Prummell in
recognition of her 25 years of service to
CCSO and the community. Wendy and
friends then rode off on their motorcycles.
Good luck Wendy and enjoy your future.
The Brotherhood Ride
Keep your eye on the ball! Sheriff Bill
Prummell threw out the first pitch at the Stone
Crabs game on June 5.
One of the
beneficiaries of the game was Drug Free
Charlotte County.
Law Enforcement officers and fire fighters
participated in the Brotherhood Ride at the
first part of June. They were riding in honor
of fallen brothers and sisters, making stops at
the agencies and departments of some of the
fallen for presentations. Over 10 days, they
rode more than 600 miles around the state.
CCSO was represented by Sgt. Bill Gorman
and DFC Kevin Katsarelas.
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The local FOP Lodge held a “Virtual 5K
Race” during May. Those who entered the
race could get their distance in over a period
of time, or do it all at once. And they could
participate wherever they wanted.
One group decided to get their run/walk in
at Laishley Park. Pictured are Sgt. John
Heck and his wife PGPD Cpl. Katie Heck with
their twin sons kneeling in front. Standing left
to right are Leanna Saxer with Lilly Bell the
dog, Shane Chodakowsky (PGPD), Sgt.
Diane Young, Mark Bala (PGPD), Lauren
Wahlgren, Sgt. Lee Pressley, his wife Dawn
Pressley and Desiree Matarese.
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July 2, 2015
Anniversary Gifts
Donated to CCSO
Additions to the
CCSO Family
Steyskal
When Ben and Marty Donovan of South Port
Square celebrated their 60th wedding
anniversary on June 25, they didn’t want
your regular type anniversary presents.
They asked all their guests to bring a stuffed
animal. The next day, they delivered 115
stuffed toys to the Sheriff’s Office to be used
to comfort children deputies encounter during
stressful events.
In appreciation, Marty
Donovan received a Community Coin from
DFC Bill Miller.
DFC Travis Steyskal and his wife Jessica
welcomed their son Bryce Calvin Steyskal
into the family on May 14, 2015 at 3:44 pm.
Congratulations on the newest deputy in
town.
CD
Pamela
Jackson
was
selected as the
Bureau of Detention Member
of the Month.
Originally from
Miami,
she
moved to Lee
County in hopes
of working within the criminal
justice field. In
2012, she put
herself through
the academy, finishing top in her class. With
one year experience under her belt, she
joined the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office in
August 2014. She is currently working towards completing her Associate's in Science in
Criminal Justice and plans to continue to pursue educational opportunities in the future.
Francis
CCSO July Birthdays
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Funnel Cloud and
Rainbow Spotted
IT Specialist Jason Francis and his wife
Janelle have their hands full with their twin
sons Jack (left) and Rhett (right) who were
born June 29. Jack weighed 7 lbs. 4 oz. and
Rhett weighed 6 lbs. 10 oz.
Bodybuilding Champ
Communications Supervisor Andrea Pifer sent
in this photo of a funnel cloud spotted near
Burnt Store Road on Monday June 22. Note
the rainbow behind the funnel. Cool photo,
Andrea!
Bureau of Detention
Member of the Month
By day, she is a mildmanner SRO, but over the
June 6 weekend, DFC
Geraldine
Orneas
became a bodybuilding
giant.
She took first
place in both the over 30
figure division and the
open figure class at the
Tampa Bay Classic
B o d y b u i l d i n g
competition. This was
Geraldine’s
first
competition. She trained
six days a week for 16
weeks to prepared.
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Shinner, Melody R
Steyskal, Travis L
Thistle, MaryAnn
2 Clemens, Scott A
Senger, Philip J
Sterling, Randall M
4 Lebron, Louis
Mings, Teresa L
Ouellette, Kim R
Platz, Kevin L
Tebano, Alfredo N
5 Burke, Eric A
Slosberg, F Barry
6 Crews, Henry E
Lehew, Cheryl
7 Sabatino, Thomas P
8 Wassermann,
Howard
Wilhite, Barry
9 Pena, Brian P
Poulton, Tamatha F
Vogel, Michael D
10 Chapman, Vanessa
Reich, Jillian S
11 Mendelson, Michael
Montgomery, Kevin L
13 Hernandez,
Alejandra
Marsh, Gertrude
14 Hertenlehner, Brent
Saxer, Leanna O
Steele, Karl A
15 Burnikel, Bret
Diaz, Elio A
Sisk, Jeffrey S
16 Birmingham, Helene
Franko, Sean E
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Heck, John W
Kilby, Melissa J
Nuzum, Howard L
Orr, Michael B
Reitenbach, Dona J
Alvelo-Garcia, Jose
Parris, Randy C
Harrelson, Robert A
Pish, George
Ponticelli, Robert
Bryant, Jessica B
Tuck, Billy R
Hart, Ace
Rodriguez, Andres
Goodby, Earl E
Henshaw, Nancy J
Lafley, Kevin C
Alvarez, Ian
Dowling, Mathew D
White, James P
Brese, Kenneth S
Mills, James R
Vital-Hebert, Ruth
Freitas, Adam J
Harnden, John
Brown, Laurie E
Essling, Jeanne K
Filipowicz, Ronald R
Katsarelas, Kevin J
Young, Jeffrey H
Alumbaugh, Kirk D
Connolly, Kevin T
Fineman, Michael S
Sain, Larry E
Harrison, Brian K
Tucker, Duane A
Next edition: July 31