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Former Okeechobee County Sheriff O.L. Raulerson was chosen to be inducted into the Florida Law Enforcement Hall of Fame this week.
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According to the FDLE website, “In October 2014, the Florida Law Enforcement Officers' Hall of Fame (FLEOHOF) was created through Section 265.0041, Florida Statute, to recognize and honor law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line for the safety and protection of Florida’s citizens and visitors through their works, service and exemplary accomplishments. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is privileged to establish the FLEOHOF to honor contributions made to our state by these exceptional individuals. This is a tribute to their unselfish dedication as daily heroes in the lives of many throughout the state. It is also noteworthy to offer appreciation to these individuals who contribute to the advancement of the law enforcement field. Each year, inductees’ names will be affixed on a plaque in the Florida Law Enforcement Officers’ Hall of Fame, which is located on the Plaza Level of the Florida Capitol Building”
Beginning 12-13 years ago, Sheriff Noel E. Stephen started working on trying to get Raulerson recognized for his many achievements in law enforcement.
“O.L. was by far one of the biggest influences in my life,” said Stephen. “Not only as a man but as a sheriff. He taught me how to treat others and run an agency.”
Stephen explained he wanted Raulerson to be recognized not only for the influence he had on Stephen’s life but also for being the only person, to date, who has been elected as sheriff in two different Florida counties. He served as sheriff in Highlands County from 1970 until 1977 and then served in Okeechobee from 1986 until 1996 and then served again in 2000 for one term before retiring. He passed away in 2007, at the age of 65, of kidney failure.
There are only a handful of nominees selected each year, said Stephen.
The actual ceremony will take place in June and Stephen plans to attend with members of his department and members of Raulerson’s family.
Detective Dale LaFlam and Major Michael Hazellief were both instrumental in making this dream a reality, said Stephen. “They plan to attend the ceremony with me.”
Raulerson’s widow Judy, his daughter Laurie Vick and his son Todd still live in Okeechobee and were given the news this week.
“We didn’t want to say anything until we heard it from the governor, and it was announced by Mark Glass, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner,” said Stephen.
“Being a law enforcement officer takes a lot,” said Stephen. “Our families give us up to the community because we give it so much. I’ve always been a hard worker, but I’ve never worked as hard as I do now as sheriff. It’s a different world than when I first began this career.”
As he often does, Stephen called Okeechobee a South Georgia county in South Florida but added that every day his men and women have a target on their backs just because of the star they wear on their chests. “We still strive to treat everybody fair and equal while we are being the enforcers. In some sense, we are the only ones enforcing with both parents working and busy doing other things. I’m very proud of my men and women.”
As Raulerson did before him, Stephen is trying to prepare the next generation of law enforcement to be ready to take over when he retires.
