News from Polk County Sheriff's Office
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In this issue...
In Memoriam
Dedicated to the
A Shepherd Among Us
Memory of
Many Lives Were
Touched
Even Strangers Sent
Condolences
Sgt. Wesley
The U.S. Honor Flag
Richard Whitmore,
Roll Call of Heroes
Visit Us On The Web
Jr.
February 19, 1950 -
PCSO Facebook page
December 12, 2010
Dear Theresa,
PCSO Myspace page
PCSO Twitter page PCSO Youtube page
Polk County Sheriff's
Office
Sunday morning, December 12th, all of our lives changed forever ‐‐ more so for Sgt. Wes Whitmore's family. A sedate traffic stop, in a convenience store parking lot, turned into a horrific event for all of us. While the Sarge's team raced to the call of a strange voice on his radio, and paramedics and fire rescue units arrived to take over the valiant life‐
saving efforts by our deputies, the https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=11041909... 8/18/2011
News from Polk County Sheriff's Office
1891 Jim Keene Blvd
Winter Haven, Florida
33880
863.298.6200
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staff calls were being made. I learned Wes had been hit by a car and was not breathing ‐‐ and neither was I. When I arrived, I found Sgt. Whitmore's team performing their different duties in a manner which would have lived up to his expectations. Master Deputy Chris Dunn met me and said, "Sheriff, I'm afraid our Sergeant is dead." We lost "a shepherd among us" that day ‐‐ a leader who was loved, admired, respected, and emulated. As reality set in, the clear, bright morning skies turned grey and began to cry ‐‐ it covered our tears of grief & loss. Then the harsh, cold, winter winds slapped us in the face repeatedly to remind us, this really wasn't a nightmare, at least not one from which we would surely awake. As we listened to those who worked with and for Sgt. Whitmore, we all are reminded why he was that "Shepherd Among Us." ∙ 41 total years of serving our country. ∙ A supervisor who would take calls at the end of a 12‐hour day so his deputies could go home. ∙ A leader who tailor‐made his supervisory response according to each deputy's individual needs. ∙ A sergeant who loved being a deputy. ∙ A sergeant who also performed detective work. ∙ A leader who was known as a friend to one deputy and a father‐
figure to another. ∙ A supervisor who remembered your birthday with gifts (sometimes donuts, of course). ∙ A sergeant who would listen to ‐ and help resolve ‐ your personal issues. I'm reminded of Tiberius who said, "It is the duty of a good shepherd to shear his sheep, not skin them." The Prophet Ezekiel said: "The shepherd will search for, and look after, and rescue, the sheep from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness." Yes, on a dark and cloudy Sunday in December, a "shepherd among us" laid down his life while performing his job ‐ the job to serve and protect all of mankind. Like the Good Shepherd whom John spoke of in Chapter 10 of the New Testament, Sgt. Whitmore laid down his life so we all could have an orderly society. Sgt. Whitmore chose to faithfully serve the community. As the Prophet https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=11041909... 8/18/2011
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Isaiah said: "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' and I said, 'Here I am. Send me!'" Wes always said, "Here I am, send me." Rest well, Sergeant Whitmore ‐ you have certainly been "A Shepherd Among Us." Sheriff Grady Judd In Memoriam
Wesley Richard Whitmore, Jr., was born in Syracuse, NY, on February 19, 1950. He joined the United States Air Force and served 26 years of distinguished service before retiring as a Major, chief of Air Traffic Control Operations. He moved to Polk County from Germany, and joined the Polk County Sheriff's Office as a deputy in 1995. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2008, and his most recent assignment was supervising a platoon of deputies in the Central District, Winter Haven area. Wes was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Lakeland and a Lifetime Member of the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) and the American Legion. Preceded in death by his father, he is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sherry; 3 sons, Gary Whitmore, Kevin Whitmore and Wesley Whitmore, III; a daughter, Hillary Whitmore; his mother, Gloria Hart; a sister, Jeanette Sixbury; 10 grandchildren; a sister‐in‐law Darya Peterson, and several nieces and nephews. A Funeral Mass in Wes' honor was held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 17, 2010, at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Winter Haven. https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=11041909... 8/18/2011
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A Shepherd Among Us
Sgt. Whitmore will be missed by many, but most certainly by those members of the Central District Bravo platoon with whom he most recently served: his supervisor, Lieutenant Jerry Connolly, and his "flock," Master Deputies Chris Dunn and Jody Gill, and Deputy Sheriffs Ed Alexander, Jeff Kistler, Cariann Magyarosi, Tamara Meier, Earlanne Murphy, Chad Nichols, Jordan Owens, Stephen Pope, Scott Stephens, and Chuck Swartz. Wes also spent several years of his 15‐year PCSO career working in the Northwest District, both in Patrol and in Investigations. His NW District supervisors and peers, especially Captain Kevin Widner and Sergeant Courtney Daniels, will miss Wes' friendly face, sound advice, and infectious positive attitude. Wes loved sports ‐ whether he https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=11041909... 8/18/2011
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was actively participating, coaching, or just rooting on his favorite teams. As you can see in these candid photos, he competed in, coached, and referee'd at agency dodge ball and softball tournaments. He also liked to golf in his spare time. And everyone who interacted with Wes knew of his love and pride in the U.S. Air Force. When he was out of uniform, Wes could often be seen sporting a USAF hat or T‐shirt.
Although Wes has, in the words of his beloved USAF hymn, gone "off into the wild blue yonder," he will always be remembered at PCSO as a gentle yet firm, laidback yet ready to accomplish any task, shepherd among us.
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Many Lives Were Touched
People from all over who knew Sgt. Whitmore, either having served with him in the U.S. Air Force, at the Polk County Sheriff's Office, or through friends and family relationships, have left comments on his Facebook page expressing their deep sorrow at his passing. Here you can see Wes' Facebook profile picture (the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, and the American flag) and below are a few examples of the sentiments expressed on Wes' personal Facebook page: I am saddened by this tragic news of Major Whitmore. He was one of my favorite people, officers, and controllers that I had the pleasure of serving with during my Air Force career. To all his family I pray for your strength and knowing that he was loved by many of us out here. − Jim
Mcallister Thank you Wes for always taking the time to say "Hello" and ask how the family was doing. It meant a lot through the years. It showed how caring and genuine you were. God Bless you in His Kingdom. ‐ Susie Heller Brigman https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=11041909... 8/18/2011
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My deepest condolences to Maj Whitmore's family. I also served with him at Eifel Approach Control, Spangdahlem AB, Germany and remember how much we all liked and respected him. ‐ Mary Watt‐Watts I received an email from Wes Sunday morning responding to my Christmas Letter and as always he was funny and sincere. I was shocked to hear the tragic news. Maj Whitmore, thanks for the jokes, guidance and comments ‐ it was great hearing from you after the years since RAF Upper Heyford. I know he loved his family, his Polk County Sheriff co‐
workers, friends and life itself. We can all take comfort in the warm memories of a man that was a joy to be around. RIP Wes ‐ Heaven gained a good man. ‐ Kim Webber All our tears have reached the sea. Part of you will live in me. Way down
deep inside my heart. Days keep coming without fail. New wind is going to find your sail. That's where your journey starts....Rest‐In‐Peace Cousin Dick, your memories will live a lifetime....Love, Lori ‐ Lori
Harrington Just said my Goodbyes to you thru the Ledger feed of your funeral service. I sat here in Manistee, Michigan watching the people honor you
and thinking of my own stories. I will miss chatting with you on line and visiting when I did get to come back to Florida. Rest now dear friend and know that your family friends and country are better because of you....
We all love you and most of all know the meaning of honor and respect because of you.... ‐ Priscilla O Simmons So sad to visit my old friend's page here and read this news. Worked with Capt Whitmore at RAF Upper Heyford, UK 85‐89 as an Air Traffic Controller. He was much more than the boss. Was the kind of leader that people naturally followed. So very glad we recently got in touch again here, and had the chance to catch up, tell a few stories about the old days, and let him know how good it was to work for him. Best dang CATCO I had in 20+ years, and pretty good guy for an officer. RIP
Captain. ‐ Cj Travis Ladies and Gentleman: I want to thank each and every one of you personally for the outpouring of support. It is appreciated by Wes' family to know that he was
appreciated by people other than just them for being the kind, caring, and compassionate person he was. The world lost a very good person on 12/12 but the good he did will long outlive all of us. Thank you again outlive all of us. Thank you again. ‐ Courtney Daniels Even Strangers Sent Condolences
When the tragic news of the untimely loss of Sgt. Whitmore spread across
the law enforcement community, our brothers in arms rallied around us to help answer calls for service, help take care of the family's needs, and help arrange Wes' funeral. Many other law enforcement agencies from all
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over North America, as well as private citizens who did not even know Wes, sent words of condolence and even monetary donations. Here is a sample of the more than 120 letters and cards that were sent to PCSO: SHERIFF GRADY JUDD: Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss of Sgt. Wesley Whitmore. And, my sincere condolences go out to his family, friends, and his comrades of the L.E. service, to the Polk County
Sheriff's Office. May God Bless all of you during this trying time of the loss of a Brother in Law Enforcement. May Sgt. Whitmore Rest In God's Peace. He will will be missed by the United States Air Force, of which he
has served honorably, as he did with the Sheriff's Office. Respectfully,
Elmer Falcione (Ret), Allegheny County Police Dept. FOP Lodge #91, USAF Retired TO PCSO: We shape our lives not by what we carry with us, but by what we leave behind. Our condolences to your department in the loss of someone whose generous spirit touched so many. Riverton Police Department
Riverton, Wyoming DEAR SHERIFF JUDD: On behalf of the Honolulu Police Department, please accept my sincere condolences on the recent loss of Sergeant Wesley Richard Whitmore, Jr. It is always an emotional time when we
lose officers in the line of duty. I can empathize with you and your entire
department. All of us at the Honolulu Police Department share your sadness and extend our sympathy and support. Sincerely,
Louis M. Kealoha Chief of Police DEAR SIR: I am writing on the tragic occasion of the death of Sergeant Wesley Richard Whitmore yesterday. It is with great sadness that we in British Columbia learned of your terrible loss. As a police officer myself in a former life, as are many of my colleagues and staff, we can feel some sense of the loss the family that is your department is
experiencing. On behalf of the officers, NCO's, paramedics, and administration staff of the British Columbia Ambulance Service, please accept our heartfelt condolences. Our best wishes go out to the family, friends, and colleagues of Sergeant Whitmore. It is our sincere hope that there is some solace in the knowledge that this fallen hero died serving his community, making it safer, and doing a job that he clearly loved. May he rest in peace. Sincerely, https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=11041909... 8/18/2011
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Superintendent B.H. (Bruce) Harford Officer in Charge, Paramedic Honour Guard British Columbia Ambulance Service The U.S. Honor Flag
The Polk County Sheriff's Office was honored to welcome the "United States Honor Flag" to pay tribute to Sergeant Wes Whitmore at his Funeral Mass on December 17, 2010. Since September 11, 2001, this flag has paid tribute to fallen military, firemen, and law enforcement officers at Ground Zero and across the nation. In acknowledgement of the fact that it is impossible for this flag to pay tribute to every fallen officer, we
were humbled that Sgt. Whitmore's sacrifice was recognized by the presence of this flag. The flag was displayed during the funeral service at the altar. After the service, and during the law enforcement honors ceremony, the gloves that were worn by the Honor Guard member who held the flag were presented to Wes' wife, Sherry Whitmore. No human hands have touched the flag since September 11, 2001.
(To read more about the significance and history of the flag, please https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=11041909... 8/18/2011
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visit www.ushonorflag.org.) Roll Call of Heroes
Sgt. Wesley Whitmore was the 13th Polk County Deputy to die in the line of duty. Deputies who preceded Sgt. Whitmore were: Oliver Thomas Smith, January 16, 1922 J. Edward Harrelson, December 21, 1926 Leon A. Bernard, April 9, 1963 Paul A. Powell, May 26, 1967 Sollie Waller Rabun, Jr., March 13, 1974 T. A. Burnham, January 9, 1981 Waymon D. Allen, March 15, 1987 David Michael Goddard, February 2, 1989 Larry Willis Rhoden, October 22, 2001 Gene "Brian" Wilkinson, October 22, 2001
Vernon "Matt" Williams & K‐9 DiOGi, September 28, 2006
Sgt. Ronnie Brown, September 8, 2009
PCSO Memorial
Dedication
The tragic loss of Sgt. Whitmore is another reminder of how important it is to pay our respects to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for the people of Polk County.
A ceremony to dedicate and unveil the Polk County Sheriff's Office Memorial will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 18, 2011, at the PCSO Operations Center located at 1891 Jim Keene Blvd. in Winter Haven.
To RSVP for this event, please email [email protected]. January 18, 2011
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Polk County Sheriff's Office | 1891 Jim Keene Blvd. | Winter Haven | FL | 33880
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