This week, I had the great privilege of hosting the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award ceremony for the first time as Florida’s Attorney General. Being referred to as Florida’s “top cop” is very humbling, knowing what all our law enforcement officers encounter and risk to protect us.
I was proud to name Detective Manuel Gonzalez of the Miami-Dade Police Department our 2018 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. Last year, Detective Gonzalez suffered multiple gunshot wounds from a suspected shoplifter while on security detail at a Walmart Super Center. Despite being seriously wounded, Detective Gonzalez returned fire and incapacitated the suspect. His remarkable bravery and courage while facing grave danger is a shining example of the risks law enforcement officers take to protect, serve and keep our communities safe.
I congratulate and thank all the following nominees for their outstanding work in the line duty:
· Officer Michael Bibeau, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission;
· Trooper Nicholas Dolan, Florida Highway Patrol;
· Deputy Jesus Madrigal, Broward County Sheriff’s Office;
· Lieutenant Stacy McIntyre, Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Investigative and Forensic Services;
· Special Agent Daniel Mehler, Florida Department of Law Enforcement;
· Special Agent T. Judah Pent, Federal Bureau of Investigation; and
· Officer Rebecca Rivera, Orlando Police Department.
Another nominee is Lieutenant Debra Clayton of the Orlando Police Department. Lieutenant Clayton died in the line of duty in January 2017 after suffering fatal gunshot wounds from a fugitive. Lieutenant Clayton worked 17 years for the OPD and received the department’s Award of Valor and Purple Heart Award in recognition of her dedication of duty and sacrifice.
Click here to learn more about the accomplishments of this year’s nominees.
To watch the ceremony in its entirety, click here.
These brave men and women are heroes for the incredible service they provide every day to protect Floridians. Just as important as it is to recognize these nominees for the brave and diligent work they do, we must remember how dangerous their jobs are and how selfless their commitment is. My gratitude goes out to them and to all the remarkable Florida law enforcement officers serving our great state!
In The News
Florida's best and bravest law enforcement honored at capitol, WCTV
New Attorney General Ashley Moody says opioids, fraud top priorities, Palm Beach Post
Florida Attorney General investigates fake fundraising account for deceased Fort Myers FHP officer, Fort Myers News-Press
Moody focusing on fight against fraud, opioid epidemic, WJXT
Authorities investigate human-trafficking at area day spas, Palm Beach Post
Jupiter spa owner arrested in prostitution, human-trafficking bust, News Chief
Pulte homeowners with stucco repairs can be reimbursed, Herald Tribune
Protecting Floridians
Attorney General Moody’s Statement on the Loss of Florida Highway Patrol Master Sergeant Daniel Hinton
Attorney General Ashley Moody issued the following statement regarding the passing of Florida Highway Patrol Master Sergeant Daniel Hinton. Sgt. Hinton suffered cardiac arrest during a training exercise and later passed away:“I am deeply saddened by the news that Florida Highway Patrol Master Sergeant Daniel Hinton passed away today. Sgt. Hinton served Floridians honorably and bravely for more than three decades. Please keep his family, friends and colleagues at the Florida Highway Patrol in your prayers.”
Attorney General’s Office Investigating Fake Fundraising Account Claiming to be Memorial Fund for Late FHP Master Sergeant
Attorney General Ashley Moody directed her Consumer Protection Division to investigate a fake fundraising account that used the image of a fallen Florida Highway Patrol Master Sergeant to solicit donations. The account, now offline, was hosted on the fundraising website GoGetFunding and used the name and image of FHP Master Sgt. Daniel Hinton. It also claimed Hinton’s wife served as fundraising administrator. Sgt. Hinton suffered cardiac arrest during a training exercise and later passed away at the hospital.Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Our Consumer Protection investigators are acting with a sense of urgency to get to the bottom of this fake fundraising account and hold responsible whoever is behind this disrespectful, deceitful attempt to profit off the suffering of our law enforcement community. Master Sergeant Hinton is a law enforcement hero, and it infuriates me that anyone would use his legacy to try and steal from Floridians.” Read More
Claims Process Announced to Provide Repairs and Expense Reimbursement for PulteGroup Homeowners
Attorney General Ashley Moody announced a claims process is now in place for eligible homeowners who purchased PulteGroup, Inc. built homes. The claims process is part of a multimillion-dollar settlement the Florida Attorney General’s Office reached with the homebuilder following an investigation into the company’s failure to disclose certain construction defects in homes built by the company.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Home repairs can be daunting and expensive. Many homeowners in this case paid out-of-pocket for repairs that should have been covered under warranty. Thankfully, we secured a multimillion-dollar settlement to help repay homeowners and repair ongoing issues with faulty construction.” Read More
Attorney General Moody’s Statement on the Arrest of Port Richey Mayor
Attorney General Ashley Moody issued the following statement regarding the arrest of Port Richey Mayor Dale Glen Massad on charges related to practicing medicine without a license. While Pasco County Sheriff’s Deputies were serving an arrest warrant at the mayor’s residence, two shots were fired at deputies:Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “I want to commend Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco and the deputies who risked their lives apprehending this dangerous suspect. No one is above the law. As Attorney General, my office will work with law enforcement to investigate and prosecute any crime within our jurisdiction regardless of the target’s political position or economic status.”
Events
This week, Attorney General Ashley Moody hosted the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award ceremony at the State Capitol.
Attorney General Moody with all of the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award nominees at the State Capitol.
Pictured from left to right: Trooper Nicholas Dolan, Special Agent T. Judah Pent, Officer Michael Bibeau, Lt. Stacy McIntyre, Attorney General Moody, husband of late Lt. Debra Calyton Seth Clayton, Officer Rebecca M. Rivera, Detective Manuel Gonzalez, Deputy Jesus Madrigal, and Speical Agent Daniel Mehler
Pictured from left to right: Trooper Nicholas Dolan, Special Agent T. Judah Pent, Officer Michael Bibeau, Lt. Stacy McIntyre, Attorney General Moody, husband of late Lt. Debra Calyton Seth Clayton, Officer Rebecca M. Rivera, Detective Manuel Gonzalez, Deputy Jesus Madrigal, and Speical Agent Daniel Mehler
Attorney General Moody presenting the Law Enforcement of the Year award to Detective Manuel Gonzalez of the Miami-Dade Police Department with Governor Ron DeSantis.
Attorney General Moody meeting with five former Florida Attorneys General, discussing past and future efforts to protect Floridians.
Pictured left to right: Attorneys General Richard Doran, Bill McCollum, Ashley Moody, Pam Bondi, Jim Smith and Robert Butterworth
Pictured left to right: Attorneys General Richard Doran, Bill McCollum, Ashley Moody, Pam Bondi, Jim Smith and Robert Butterworth
Attorney General Moody joining Florida Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio in Miami, before President Donald J. Trump’s speech on democracy in Venezuela.
Attorney General Moody meeting with University of Florida President Dr. Kent Fuchs in her Capitol office. Attorney General Moody earned her bachelors and masters degrees in accounting and juris doctorate at UF.
Attorney General Moody welcoming members of the Plant City Chamber of Commerce’s Government Advisory Committee. Plant City is Attorney General Moody’s hometown.
Attorney General Moody speaking at the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 Legislative Fly-In event in Tallahassee.
Attorney General Moody joining Martin County Sheriff William Snyder at a news conference announcing arrests in a major human trafficking case. Attorney General Moody encourages all Floridians to learn how to spot and report trafficking by visiting YouCanStopHT.com.
Attorney General Moody speaking to team members in the Florida Attorney General’s West Palm Beach office.
