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OCSO holds award ceremony

Special to Lake Okeechobee News

Posted 4/15/25

Sheriff Stephen, and The Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office is proud of the work of our men and women...

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OCSO holds award ceremony

Posted Tuesday, April 15, 2025 11:10 am

Special to Lake Okeechobee News

OKEECHOBEE — Sheriff Stephen, and Tthe Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office are proud of the work of OCSO men and women, and recently held the awards ceremony for the first quarter of 2025.

They also celebrated the retirement of Bryan "Smitty" Smith, and Elizabeth Kelly. OCSO thanked them both for their years of dedicated service, and we wish them all the best on their next chapters!

In each of these divisions, there was recognition : Volunteer, Detention Support Person, Law Enforcement Support Person, Communications, Detention Deputy. and Law Enforcement Officer.

Performance Awards were awarded to: Judele Root, Briana Jewell, , Deputy Shane Crawford. Sergeant Sport Pickering, Corporal Demarcus Dixon, and Katie Waldron

A Unit Citation was awarded to : CAT Team Members: Corporal Richard Varnadore, Deputy Karson Reno, Deputy Jessica Bunting, and Deputy Victor Gonzalez

A Letter of Commendation was awarded to: Deputy Misei Esquivel.

And a Special Award was given in appreciation to Sergeant Steven Pollock, as he was recognized by The International Association of Chiefs of Police for ten years of service of DRE ( Drug Recognition Expert).

Congratulations to each of these recipients, and to all who were nominated. Keep up the great work!

[All photos courtesy OCSO]