2017 Duty Officer of the Quarter

January through March | Regional Duty Officer Amber McGuire

Congratulations to Regional Duty Officer Amber McGuire for her selection as a co­recipient for Florida Highway Patrol Duty Officer of the Quarter for January through March 2017.

On March 28. 2017, McGuire received an in-distress emergency radio call from Sergeant Natalie Ward advising that her unmarked patrol car had just been hit by a vehicle while she was conducting a traffic stop on 1-75 in Marion County.

McGuire immediately dispatched units to Sergeant Ward’s location so they could assess the situation and her condition. McGuire also dispatched rescue to have EMS come and she notified all the supervisors and informed them of Sergeant Ward’s condition and status.

McGuire performed her job duties effectively and professionally by dispatching all available units to establish a secure accident scene, thereby ensuring the safety of Sergeant Ward. McGuire is congratulated for being selected as a co-recipient of the Florida Highway Patrol Duty Officer of the Quarter for January through March 2017.

January through March | Duty Officer Linda Alonso, Duty Officer Shamell Battle, Communications Training Officer Kristi Grzybek, Duty Officer Susan Charleston, Duty Officer Supervisor Gail Nees, Duty Officer Supervisor Karen White

Congratulations to Duty Officer Linda Alonso, Duty Officer Shamell Battle, Communications Training Officer Kristi Grzybek, Duty Officer Susan Charleston, Duty Officer Supervisor Gail Nees and Duty Officer Supervisor Karen White for each of their selections as co­recipients for the Florida Highway Patrol Duty Officer of the Quarter for January through March 2017.

On March 17. 2017, Alonso was alerted by shouts of a frantic Trooper and that rescue was needed right away. After several failed attempts to key up, another Trooper was able to inform Alonso that Trooper Carlos Rosario-Flores had been hit by a car and needed air rescue right away. Alonso was able to determine the location of the accident and dispatch units to help Trooper Rosario-Flores. Alonso knew that she would need help with getting everything organized, so she immediately alerted everyone in the radio room.

Alonso, along with the other members of the Communication Center went into immediate action. All of them worked together to make sure everything was run smoothly. Grzybek immediately tuned into the channel to monitor what was happening at the scene. Nees requested rescue, Charleston and Battle assisted with Inter-City calls and phone notifications, while White assisted with phone calls between sworn personnel members on the scene and members at the station.

Alonso was the voice of calm during the chaos, but all members played an important role in this incident. Each of them are recognized for the outstanding teamwork they had in this very stressful situation. Each of them are congratulated for being selected as co-recipients of the Florida Highway Patrol Duty Officer of the Quarter for January through March 2017.

April through June | Regional Duty Officer Anthony J. Farmer

Congratulations to Regional Duty Officer Anthony J. Farmer for his selection as the Florida Highway Patrol Duty Officer of the Quarter for April through June 2017.

On Saturday, May 27, 2017, two Troopers and an Escambia County Deputy were struck by a drunk driver while conducting a traffic stop on the shoulder of the road in Pensacola. Originally, both Troopers were reported as having serious injuries, with one being labeled as a trauma alert by a third Trooper who reported to the scene after the accident occurred.

Farmer kept a calm demeanor and a steady voice and gathered all the necessary information from the Trooper who was on the scene and called for EMS. Farmer quickly notified supervisors and asked fellow Duty Officers to help accurately document the information into the CAD and make phone calls, while he focused on the radio traffic.

Farmer’s professionalism, empathy and ability to remain calm in a high stress incident serves as an excellent representation of the Florida Highway Patrol’s values. goals and mission. Farmer is congratulated for being selected as the Florida Highway Patrol Duty Officer of the Quarter for April through June 2017.

July through September | Duty Officer Michelle Luciani

Congratulations to Duty Officer Michelle Luciani for her selection as the Florida Highway Patrol Duty Officer of the Quarter for July through September 2017.

On July 13, 2017, Luciani received a call from the Lake Worth Regional Communications Center transferring a thirteen-year-old boy who was afraid for his life. The boy advised Luciani that his father was driving recklessly on Alligator Alley and was intoxicated. Luciani stayed on the phone with him, getting updates on mile markers, asking about weapons and got the father’s name. To ensure the boy’s safety, Luciani advised him that if necessary, he could talk in code to answer her questions since his father was unaware that he was on the phone with law enforcement. Luciani used multiple techniques to try and keep the boy calm and she reassured the boy that help was on the way.

Through Luciani’s efforts, the boy and the father were apprehended by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and the father was arrested for Driving Under the Influence. Luciani was praised by the local media for suggesting that the boy use code to answer her questions.

Luciani’s professionalism, empathy. and ability to remain calm in a highly stressful incident serves as an excellent representation of the Florida Highway Patrol’s values, goals and mission. Luciani is congratulated for being selected as the Florida Highway Patrol Duty Officer of the Quarter for July through September 2017.

October through December | Duty Officer Alyssa Nicholson

Congratulations to Duty Officer Alyssa Nicholson for her selection as the Florida Highway Patrol Duty Officer of the Quarter for October through December 2017.

On November 14. 2017, Nicholson received a call from a 7-year-old boy and his mother, who was not able to speak or hear and that they were broken down on the side of Interstate 4 in an unknown location. Due to the boy’s age, Nicholson knew she would have to change the way she communicated with him and needed to ask simple questions to help narrow down the general area of where they were located. The boy was able to find out the type of cell phone he was using and the vehicle’s description that he was in. By getting the type of cell phone that he was using, Nicholson was able to instruct him how to pin point his location on a map to tell her his exact location.

During the phone conversation, Nicholson was able to keep the boy calm and obtain enough information from him to find his location. Nicholson was able to contact the TBRCC and a trooper was dispatched to their location. Nicholson continued to stay on the phone with him and reassure him that help was on the way.

Nicholson helped the boy and his mother by using the resources available to them. Nicholson was encouraging and a reassuring voice to help him stay calm. Nicholson exemplified the very best of what our Duty Officers are expected to handle at any given time.