2010 Trooper of the Year

Florida Cabinet Recognizes Trooper of the Year

The Florida Cabinet honored Trooper Danyen Komorek when they named her the Florida Highway Patrol’s 2010 Trooper of the Year. Komorek is assigned to FHP’s Troop G in Jacksonville and has been with the Patrol for 11 years. Her quick actions and heroism saved a man’s life.

“Trooper Komorek’s heroic actions clearly demonstrate her courage and commitment to public safety,” said Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson, who sponsored the Cabinet resolution. “We are extremely proud to honor her as the 2010 Trooper of the Year.”

On April 15, 2009, FHP’s Communications Center notified Trooper Komorek of a van traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate 95 in Nassau County. As Komorek approached the location of the sightings, she came upon a burning van that had veered off the road, gone through a ditch and struck a tree. Without hesitation, Komorek exited her patrol car and ran toward the burning vehicle, which was sitting in a ditch filled with approximately three feet of water. She found the driver to be unresponsive and with facial injuries. As the fire quickly progressed to the engine compartment and windshield area of the vehicle, Komorek quickly grabbed the driver and pulled him to safety, where she provided medical treatment with the assistance of Motor Carrier Compliance Officer Donald Horne (Florida Department of Transportation) until Nassau County Fire and Rescue arrived on scene. The Fire Department quickly extinguished the fire and treated the driver for his injuries. The driver was transported to Shands Hospital in Jacksonville for additional treatment.

Komorek’s investigation later revealed that the driver had suffered from a severe diabetic reaction. Had it not been for Trooper Komorek’s quick response and for her heroic and unselfish actions, the driver may not have survived the crash.