2024 Trooper of the Month

January | Trooper Chad Corriveau

Congratulations to Trooper Chad Corriveau for being selected as the recipient for the Florida Highway Patrol Trooper of the Month for January 2024.

On January 4, 2024, while deployed for Operation Lonestar in the Brownsville, TX area, Trooper Chad Corriveau and Texas Trooper Leonel Pizano observed a male running across the Fort Brown Levee Processing Center. Trooper Corriveau exited Texas Trooper Pizano’s vehicle and pursued the subject on foot. As Trooper Corriveau chased, the subject ran across the road toward a college campus. The subject tried lying down in some thick brush to conceal his himself but was soon taken into custody by Trooper Corriveau. When captured, the subject was concealed along a wire fence and pretending to be asleep. It was learned that the subject had an attempted Capital Murder charge from Austin, TX and previously had pled guilty to burglary and served seven years in TX state prison.

Trooper Corriveau’s exemplary performance and commitment to courteously serve and protect has prevented this subject from the opportunity to further victimize other U.S. citizens.

February | Trooper David Ramos

Congratulations to Trooper David Ramos for being selected as the recipient for the Florida Highway Patrol Trooper of the Month for February 2024.

On February 25, 2024, the Tampa Bay Regional Communications Center sent out updated details for an earlier Amber Alert for an abducted 7-year-old child from Riviera Beach. The suspect vehicle was a black 2019 BMW that possibly had Georgia tags and was believed to be driving to the Atlanta area. Based on law enforcement investigative efforts by Riviera Beach Police and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the suspect BMW was believed to be in the Sumpter County area. Trooper David Ramos immediately responded to the area and took position along Interstate 75, just north of the Florida Turnpike. Soon thereafter, Trooper Ramos identified a northbound BMW matching the Amber Alert BOLO with a corresponding time delay to be in the area. Trooper Ramos overtook the suspect and confirmed the registration before conducting a felony stop while backed up by Sumpter County Sheriff’s deputies. Trooper Ramos apprehended the suspect, who had, in fact, kidnapped the child, and located the victim in the car, securing their safety. He notified FDLE of the recovery, who coordinated with Riviera Beach Police in continuing the ongoing criminal investigation. The suspect was arrested and charged with Kidnapping and transported to the Sumter County Jail, courtesy of your Florida Highway Patrol.

Trooper Ramos’ attention to detail and quick response to the Amber Alert update directly resulted in the safe recovery of this abducted child and the apprehension of a kidnapper. While incidents such as this require seamless coordination of law enforcement efforts, Trooper Ramos closed the circle and provided for the best possible outcome for an abducted child and family. Trooper Ramos’ exemplary professional law enforcement actions represent what Florida Troopers do daily to keep our residents and visitors safe. Some behind-the-scenes heroes related to this Amber Alert recovery are State Law Enforcement Dispatchers from Sanford RCC, Tampa Bay RCC, and specifically SLED Mark-Anthony Gibson (LWRCC). Additionally, FDLE MEPIC Analysts Jessica Harmon, Ashley Cline, and Kirsten Williams and Riviera Beach Police detectives who all contributed to this recovery.

March| Lieutenant Harry Coker

Congratulations to Lieutenant Harry Coker for being selected as the recipient for the Florida Highway Patrol Trooper of the Month for March 2024.

On March 1, 2024, Lieutenant Harry Coker was advised that a female passenger on one of several charter buses, loaded with students from a Jewish Academy, was traveling along the Florida Turnpike and received a threatening text. It threatened that someone was planning on bombing an unknown Jewish Academy. The female advised one of the chaperones on the bus, prompting the driver to stop at the Fort Pierce Service Center. A service plaza supervisor waived down FHP Trooper Abe DaCosta, who then made the notification to Lieutenant Coker. After receiving information that a bomb was potentially on one of the buses, Lieutenant Coker directed all the buses to stop at applicable service centers where they were evacuated, and a perimeter established. He set up an Incident Command Center to brief all responding units and agencies, while keeping his chain of command updated. Additional resources were requested from the local FHP District, FHP BCII, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, Port St. Lucie Police Department, Jupiter Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Florida Department of Transportation. PSLPD and Jupiter PD utilized their explosive detection canine units to clear all the buses. The FHP UAV team conducted overwatch of the scene and provided information to Lieutenant Coker for response coordination. He requested local school buses to transport the students and bus chaperones to a local school until the threat was over. Once all buses and locations were cleared, Lieutenant Coker conducted a debriefing with all involved agency supervisors.

Lieutenant Coker’s leadership, communication, and rapid response resulted in the safe outcome of everyone involved in this incident. It is recognized that no incident commander can be successful without the combined efforts of the support personnel involved, so kudos to all first responders for their efforts to keep everyone safe and relatively calm.

April | Sergeant Joshua Malloy, Trooper Jeremy Fields, and Trooper Wesley Kelly

Congratulations to Sergeant Joshua Malloy, Trooper Jeremy Fields, and Trooper Wesley Kelly for being selected as the co-recipients for the Florida Highway Patrol Trooper of the Month for April 2024.

On April 17, 2024, Sergeant Malloy, Trooper Fields, and Trooper Kelly observed a Tampa Police Department (TPD) patrol unit, with emergency equipment engaged, enter the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) building driveway adjacent to Troop C Headquarters. A responding Tampa police officer advised that their agency received a bomb threat to the FDOT building. The suspect’s vehicle was located in front of the FDOT building, with the suspect still inside the vehicle armed with a handgun. Trooper Kelly and Sergeant Malloy immediately positioned themselves strategically to maintain a clear view of the suspect. Working with the Tampa Bay Regional Communications Center (TBRCC), Trooper Fields, considering the safety of others, confirmed the building was evacuated, removing others from an imminent threat. The suspect ignored all verbal commands to disengage and ultimately took his own life before others were harmed. With Trooper Kelly and Sergeant Malloy providing cover, TPD officers approached and opened the front door of the suspect’s vehicle and confirmed that the suspect was deceased and an explosive device was present. The device was disabled by the State Fire Marshall and TPD Bomb Squad.

This dangerous and potentially deadly situation is an excellent example of how law enforcement agencies work together every day, cooperatively, for the ultimate safety of everyone.

May | Sergeant Timothy Collins

Congratulations to Sergeant Timothy Collins for being selected as the recipient for the Florida Highway Patrol Trooper of the Month for May 2024.

On May 20, 2024, while on patrol, Sergeant Timothy Collins came upon a pickup truck overturned in the wood line of SR 57 in Jefferson County. While assessing the situation, he noticed a male trapped upside down inside the vehicle. The driver was covered in blood, struggling to breathe, and not moving. Sergeant Collins immediately requested EMS respond. He obtained a large crescent wrench and broke the rear window to gain access to the victim. Upon reaching the victim, he noticed that they appeared to be suffering from lack of oxygen, with their face being red/blue, his lips turned purple, and was obviously struggling to breathe. The victim was still secured by the seatbelt, with his head and neck pressed against the ceiling of the upside-down truck and obstructing his airway. Sergeant Collins crawled through the window into the vehicle through broken glass and blood and was able to release the driver’s seatbelt. He repositioned the victim to open the airway and restoring his breathing. Sgt. Collins continued to provide care while monitoring the victim’s vital signs and confirming breathing. After a short period, color returned to the victim’s face and appeared to breathe in oxygen. EMS arrived shortly thereafter, assumed primary care, and transported the victim for further lifesaving medical attention.

June| Jordan Maxey

Congratulations to Trooper Jordan Maxey for being selected as the recipient for the Florida Highway Patrol Trooper of the Month for June 2024.

On June 21, 2024, while working in Texas during Operation Lone Star, Trooper J.D. Maxey and a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Trooper received a BOLO regarding a female attempting to commit suicide. The subject was attempting to jump off an interchange bridge. As the troopers arrived, another TX DPS Trooper contacted the subject and escorted her handcuffed toward nearby Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel. While walking toward EMS, the subject broke free and ran toward the concrete barrier side of the bridge and attempted to leap over. Trooper Maxey and the DPS Trooper immediately ran to the subject and grabbed her while more than half of her body was over the barrier wall. The DPS trooper prevented her from falling off the bridge to what would have likely resulted in her death. While stopping the subject from harming herself, Trooper Maxey realized that the DPS Trooper was also going over the wall. Trooper Maxey grabbed both the subject and the back of the DPS Trooper’s uniform and leveraged his body weight to pull them backward away from the barrier wall. After a brief but tense fight for control, the subject was secured again and escorted by Troopers Maxey and the DPS Trooper to a patrol vehicle to be safely secured. The DPS Trooper suffered minor injuries to his left arm and back during the incident. The suicidal subject was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation and examined for injuries, later to be transported to a mental health facility. Trooper Maxey’s actions surely prevented a tragedy that could have included another trooper along with the subject. His heroic actions indicate the commitment and dedication of troopers nationwide, but in this case, Florida and Texas specifically.

July | Trooper Christopher Nottingham and Trooper Jacob Connell

Congratulations to Trooper Christopher Nottingham and Trooper Jacob Connell for being selected as the co-recipients for the Florida Highway Patrol Trooper of the Month for July 2024.

In the late morning of July 30, 2024, Hernando County Sheriff’s deputies responded to an Armed Robbery that occurred on State Road 50 in the area of Interstate 75 at the “El Sol De Mexico Bar & Grill.” HCSO, working with limited information, relayed a BOLO describing the suspect vehicle as a black or blue sedan with a Georgia license plate driven by a female with a male passenger wearing a head covering. As the incident unfolded, it was learned that at least two people were shot in the robbery and one of those victims was deceased.

At the time, Trooper Nottingham and Trooper Connell noted the BOLO and were monitoring southbound traffic in the median of I-75. Trooper Nottingham noticed a Black Nissan Rogue sport utility vehicle displaying a Georgia license plate driven by a male. The Rogue did not appear to have any other occupants inside as it passed. Nottingham noted that the suspect vehicle was traveling in the outside lane of I-75, slower than normal, with semi-trucks to the front and the rear. As the suspect vehicle passed, Trooper Nottingham observed that the driver was leaning back in the driver’s seat with both arms locked out, gripping the steering wheel with both hands. Having observed a traffic violation coupled with the vehicle and driver’s behavior, Troopers Nottingham and Connell entered southbound traffic from their stationary position and began to observe the suspect vehicle.  The suspect soon exited onto SR-52 through the painted gore.

Troopers Nottingham and Connell initiated the traffic stop on the black Nissan SUV. The driver was noted as overtly nervous and could not provide basic identification during the roadside interaction. The driver was asked to exit the vehicle as Trooper Connell conducted a records check. Trooper Nottingham deployed K9 “FLIP” to conduct a free air sniff. K9 “FLIP” alerted to the suspect vehicle; at which time the driver was detained.

A probable cause search of the vehicle revealed a Glock 43X 9MM handgun with 3 rounds remaining in the magazine. Although the vehicle and occupant description did not exactly match the BOLO relayed by the HCSO, based on the totality of the circumstances, both Trooper Nottingham and Trooper Connell believed this was likely the murder suspect being sought by HCSO. The troopers contacted HCSO Detectives at the murder scene, who confirmed the suspect’s clothing and bright red “slides,” which matched what the driver was wearing at the time of the traffic stop. A continued search of the vehicle revealed property on the front passenger seat belonging to the murder victim and the second victim who was shot.

HCSO Detectives and Forensics responded to the traffic stop location forensically process the vehicle and take custody of the firearm. Troopers transported the suspect to HCSO, where the suspect was turned over for questioning and later charged with Murder.

Trooper Nottingham and Trooper Connell’s actions removed a dangerous criminal from our roadways and protected Florida citizens and visitors from future victimization and potential harm.

August | Trooper Justin Gitto, Trooper Michael McKinstry, and Troope Sergio Pearce

Congratulations to Trooper Justin Gitto and Trooper Michael McKinstry, and Trooper Sergio Pearce for being selected as the co-recipients for the Florida Highway Patrol Trooper of the Month for August 2024.

On August 26, 2024, Tampa Bay Regional Communication Center (TBRCC) received a request to assist the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office regarding an armed carjacking of an Uber driver near Dade City. Troopers Gitto, McKinstry, and Pearce soon located the suspect vehicle in Levy County.

After attempting to stop the suspect, a pursuit ensued. Attempting to assist in stopping the fleeing felon, Levy County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) deputies deployed Stop Sticks, which the suspect evaded. Trooper Gitto performed a PIT maneuver, from which the suspect recovered and continued fleeing. The fleeing felon fired several gunshots at Trooper Gitto while in pursuit, striking his patrol car. Trooper Gitto returned fire by shooting through the windshield of his patrol car, attempting to stop the deadly threat to everyone in the area. After self-assessing for injuries and being concerned for public safety, Trooper Gitto re-engaged in the pursuit. Trooper McKinstry and Trooper Pearce took the lead, attempting to stop the suspect. LCSO deployed Stop Sticks again, which the suspect was able to avoid. The fleeing felon continued to fire shots at State Troopers as he fled north along U.S. Highway 19. Attempting to stop the immediate threat, Trooper McKinstry intentionally contacted the suspect’s vehicle; however, the suspect continued to flee. Trooper Gitto again became the lead unit and feared the likely impacts of the suspect’s criminal and deadly actions toward others. The suspect then began to drive on the wrong side of the divided highway into oncoming traffic. Knowing this deadly criminal behavior would continue, Trooper Gitto fired at the suspect vehicle. Shortly thereafter, the vehicle traveled off the roadway and overturned into the wood line. Troopers Gitto, McKinstry, and Pearce cautiously approached the suspect within the crashed car, and it was determined that the suspect was no longer a threat.

September | Trooper Jonathan Hernandez

Congratulations to Trooper Jonathan Hernandezm for being selected as the recipient for the Florida Highway Patrol Trooper of the Month for September 2024.

On September 16, 2024, Trooper Hernandez was on patrol in Desoto County and observed a vehicle with illegal window tint and a cover illegally over the license plate. After initiating a traffic stop for the infractions, Trooper Hernandez spoke with the driver, who said he did not have a driver’s license. The driver provided a Mexican passport, and after a records check, it was discovered that the 16-year-old driver was missing and believed to be a runaway from Conroe, Texas. The 23-year-old passenger was neither related to the driver nor their legal guardian. In the process of Trooper Hernandez’s investigation, he obtained the phone number of the juvenile’s mother and aunt. The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) was summoned and took custody of the juvenile until they could be reunited with their family. Information on the adult passenger was provided to the Conroe Police Department, which is investigating the adult’s involvement with the missing runaway juvenile.

During the traffic stop, Trooper Hernandez demonstrated situational awareness beyond the immediate traffic infractions. Through his deliberate questioning and thorough investigation, Trooper Hernandez identified the missing juvenile, who did appear to be a runaway, and proactively ensured the juvenile’s safety and well-being. Trooper Hernandez’s alertness and decisive actions reflect his skill and dedication toward a clear commitment to public safety, as well as his dedication to protecting vulnerable youth in our community.