2025 Trooper of the Month

January | Trooper Brett Pittman, Trooper Ryan Fisher, Trooper Cameron Beebe, Trooper Kyle Durr, Corporal Kari Hilliard, Corporal Matt Phelan, and Sergeant Mike McFarland

Congratulations to Trooper Brett Pittman, Trooper Ryan Fisher, Trooper Cameron Beebe, Trooper Kyle Durr, Corporal Kari Hilliard, Corporal Matt Phelan, and Sergeant Mike McFarland for being selected as the co-recipients for the Florida Highway Patrol Trooper of the Month award for January 2025.

On January 31, 2025, a vehicle versus bicycle crash occurred along US Highway 90 in Columbia County. Following the crash, the vehicle fled the scene, leaving an 8-year-old girl with serious and possibly fatal injuries. Trooper Pittman and Trooper Fisher responded and began a criminal investigation that included processing the scene to preserve and collect pertinent evidence. After garnering limited suspect leads, they utilized multiple databases to search for possible suspect information. Eventually, a possible vehicle of interest was identified and a search for that vehicle was initiated at multiple addresses in both Columbia and Alachua counties, to no avail. While still in the initial stages of the investigation, Trooper Pittman and Trooper Fisher were informed that the victim had tragically succumbed to her injuries. The troopers continued their investigative efforts leaving no stone unturned. While searching for a possible suspect vehicle along Interstate 75, Trooper Pittman was able to locate the vehicle and as a result he and Trooper Fisher conducted a traffic stop. Sergeant Mike McFarland was actively monitoring the ongoing incident and immediately responded to the traffic stop. Two occupants in the vehicle were detained and the suspect vehicle was processed into evidence. The suspects were turned over to Traffic Homicide Investigators Corporal Kari Hilliard and Corporal Matt Phelan. The suspects responsible were arrested for the felony hit-and-run and later booked into the Columbia County Jail.  The driver was charged with Knowingly Giving False Information to an LEO and Failing to stop and remain at a Crash involving death. The secondary suspect, who was a passenger and the driver’s spouse, was charged with Accessory After the Fact and Knowingly Giving False Information to an LEO.

February | Trooper Javier Rivera and Trooper Michael Pepitone

Congratulations to Trooper Javier Rivera and Trooper Michael Pepitone for being selected as the co-recipients for the Florida Highway Patrol Trooper of the Month award for February 2025.

On February 12, 2025, while on patrol in Lee County, Trooper Rivera and Trooper Pepitone were flagged down by a pedestrian. The pedestrian reported that a man at a nearby apartment complex was harassing and attempting to lure his 12-year-old daughter while she was walking home from her school bus stop. The troopers immediately searched the area and located the individual as described.

They initiated an investigation and identified the suspect using his out-of-state driver’s license. A review of his criminal history revealed prior offenses for attempted kidnapping and sexual assault. It was determined that he was not a resident of the apartment complex and had no legitimate reason for being on the property. The suspect had initiated contact with the child and asked about her home and personal information. Following the investigation, the suspect was arrested for Loitering and Prowling and Luring and Enticing of a Minor. He was then transported to the Lee County Jail, courtesy of your Florida Highway Patrol.

March | Trooper Monica Millender

Congratulations to Trooper Monica Millender for being selected as the Florida Highway Patrol Trooper of the Month for March 2025.

On March 31, 2025, Trooper Millender was actively searching for a suspect vehicle that was the subject of a Be On the Look Out (BOLO) Alert after a Flock Detection indicated that the registered owner had an outstanding warrant for violating probation. The suspect was related to a criminal case being investigated by the Fort Leavenworth Military Police. This violation was associated with several serious charges, including felony offenses related to child sexual crimes.

Understanding that sexual offenders are required to keep their residential and employment addresses up to date, Trooper Millender consulted the FDLE Sexual Offender Registry and identified the suspect’s place of employment. Along with Trooper Nicholas Babel, she proceeded to this location and identified the suspect by his employee’s name tag. Concerned about the safety of other employees, they contacted the manager to request the suspect’s presence away from unrelated others. The suspect complied, and they apprehended him based on the outstanding arrest warrant. After the arrest, Trooper Millender was contacted by a Deputy U.S. Marshal who was also investigating the suspect’s criminal activities and whereabouts.

April | Trooper Darrelle Jacobs

Congratulations to Trooper Darrelle Jacobs for being selected as the Florida Highway Patrol Trooper of the Month for April 2025.

On the night of April 8, 2025, at approximately 11:30 PM, a tragic chain of events unfolded on I-75, just north of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. A disabled tractor¬ trailer had pulled to the outside shoulder of the highway. Soon after, relatives of the truck driver arrived to assist and stopped their car just ahead of the semi-truck to render assistance. Moments later, a Ford F-350 towing a cattle trailer drifted onto the shoulder, striking the tractor-trailer and fatally injuring the driver of the assisting vehicle, who was the semi-truck driver’s brother.

The F-350 fled the scene continuing north. Trooper Jacobs, in the area at the time, immediately responded to the alert. Demonstrating exceptional initiative, he exited the interstate at State Road 56 in Pasco County and began canvassing local parking lots and gas stations for the suspect vehicle. His instincts proved correct. Upon entering the Gate gas station, Trooper Jacobs observed a man attempting to change a damaged tire. Recognizing clear signs of involvement in the crash, he swiftly detained the suspect and coordinated with the communications center. Thanks to Trooper Jacobs’ quick thinking and keen attention to detail, a potentially unidentifiable criminal was located before they could flee the state.

May | Trooper Benson Prosper and Trooper Fernando Schiera

Congratulations to Trooper Benson Prosper and Trooper Fernando Schiera for being selected as the co-recipients of the Florida Highway Patrol Trooper of the Month Award for May 2025.

On May 26, 2025, Trooper Benson Prosper and Trooper Fernando Schiera responded to a two-vehicle crash on north bound I-75 at mile marker 170 in Charlotte County. Upon arrival, they encountered one of the drivers, William Travis Jones, who had sent a text message to his wife indicating he intended to take his own life. Jones had self-inflicted a neck wound with a 10-inch blade and exited his vehicle holding the knife, approaching the troopers while stating “Kill me or I’m going to kill you.”

Both troopers told Jones to drop the weapon multiple times, but he refused and continued advancing. Trooper Schiera drew his firearm as Trooper Prosper was positioned to deploy his Taser. After the first Taser deployment made partial contact, Trooper Prosper discharged it a second time, successfully completing the circuit and causing Jones to fall and drop the knife. Trooper Schiera immediately secured the weapon and placed Jones in handcuffs.

Both troopers provided medical aid for Jones’ self-inflicted wound while awaiting EMS. Jones, who stated he still wanted to die, also revealed he had been released from the Charlotte County Jail three days earlier following an arrest for domestic battery. He was transported to Gulf Coast Hospital, where medical personnel advised that a Baker Act would be initiated once he was stabilized.