Attorney General James Uthmeier Announces Inaugural Law Enforcement Team of the Year

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Release Date
May 22, 2025
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Attorney General James Uthmeier congratulated thirty-six law enforcement members for being named the Attorney General’s inaugural Law Enforcement Team of the Year. These men and women from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office are being honored for their courageous and coordinated response that led to the apprehension of the alleged suspect involved in the attempted assassination of President Donald J. Trump.

 “The men and women of this team exemplify the very best of law enforcement—swift, selfless, and steadfast in the face of unimaginable danger,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “They upheld the rule of law when it mattered most. Florida proudly honors them as our inaugural Law Enforcement Team of the Year.”

The team is being recognized for their exceptional response on September 15, 2024, apprehending Ryan Routh, the alleged would-be assassin of then-former President Donald J. Trump, while he was golfing at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. The suspect fled the scene but was later captured in Martin County, thanks to the coordination and decisive action of the individuals recognized today.

The team includes deputies, detectives, supervisors, tactical officers, dispatchers from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, and one off-duty special agent from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office who quickly sprang into action. Each played a critical role in the safe and successful operation, from real-time intelligence sharing and communication to tactical execution and containment of the threat to the then-former president.

Their rapid, unified response stands as a testament to the professionalism of Florida law enforcement and reflects the Attorney General’s commitment to backing the blue and keeping Florida—and the nation—safe, strong, and free.

The members included in the 2024 Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Team of the Year are: 

  • Christine Baker
  • Ana Beiro
  • Sergeant Dillon Bellas
  • Rhonda Bernatski 
  • Deputy Gedeon Brenovil
  • Kirsten Burkey 
  • Lieutenant Yesenia Carde
  • Detective Aaron Chandler 
  • Tawnya Collins
  • Master Deputy Erick Day
  • Deputy Cody Dionne
  • Lieutenant Travis Dykes
  • Deputy Edward Elliott
  • Sergeant Dominic Ferrusi
  • Deputy Brent Hitchcock
  • Victoria Johnson
  • Detective Shayne Kennedy
  • Sergeant Sam Kimmel
  • Deputy Wyatt Kirkham
  • Major Joshua Kloster
  • Agent Austin Laufer 
  • Sergeant Garrett Lott
  • Natalie McFadden
  • Deputy Alex Mercado
  • Corporal Matt Mosley
  • Detective Angelo Palmieri
  • Deputy Joshua Pease
  • Sergeant Crystal Nash
  • Deputy James Sanders 
  • Deputy Nicholas Shaw
  • Sergeant Bradley Spencer 
  • Deputy Nicholas Thomas
  • Sergeant Steve Walter 
  • Captain Gavin Werner
  • Corporal Cameron White
  • Sergeant David Yun

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Agent Austin Laufer acted while off duty. The remaining awardees listed are members of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. 

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