FEBRUARY 2012 ANIMAL CRUELTY IN SPOTLIGHT

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1 FEBRUARY 2012 A Message From Your Sheriff Alaqua Animal Refuge held its 2nd Annual Animal Cruelty Investigation and Prosecution Seminar From Crime to Punishment this month. The event attracted more than 125 law enforcement officers, state attorneys, animal control officers, and shelter directors. Public awareness and a strong focus on investigating and prosecuting animal cruelty cases are key components of dealing with this issue. Our agency has taken steps to put more emphasis on catching those responsible for animal abuse. I salute the combined efforts of all those involved. Sincerely, ANIMAL CRUELTY IN SPOTLIGHT The Okaloosa. County Sheriff s Office supports efforts to give animal cruelty cases the attention they deserve and to use education to prevent animal abuse to the greatest extent possible. Abby When Found Abby One Year Later Here s an example of the type of case deputies and animal control officers encounter: The Panhandle Animal Welfare Society Animal Services office received a call about a female yellow Lab that was emaciated and chained in a backyard. When the OCSO & a PAWS Officer responded and found her, Abby had no food or shelter and only green stagnant water in a bucket. She weighed sixteen pounds. While investigating, PAWS learned a year earlier Abby had weighed forty pounds. Abby s owner turned himself in and said he had forgot about providing for her". He was sentenced to six months probation. He also had to write a letter to PAWS explaining what had happened and why, to be used for educational purposes. Fortunately this story has a happy ending. When Abby was adopted by her new family one month later, she had already gained twenty pounds and was healthy. Florida Statute Cruelty to Animals: to unnecessarily overload, overdrive, torture, torment, deprive of necessary sustenance or shelter or unnecessarily or cruelly beat, mutilate, or kill an animal.

2 FIVE TIPS FOR PROTECTING ANIMALS When it comes to the issue of protecting animals from abuse, our agency encourages citizens to keep the following five tips in mind: 1. If you suspect animal abuse, report it! Neighborhood Watch Groups should be sure animal neglect or abuse is a topic of discussion. 2. Give law enforcement as much information as possible. 3. Push for stronger laws and tougher penalties. 4. Support your local animal shelters or rescue organizations. 5. Set a good example for our children.

3 WOUNDED OFFICER THANKS COMMUNITY FOR SUPPORT An OCSO investigator who survived being shot three times while working to take a violent fugitive into custody says the amount of support he s received has been overwhelming, including letters from across the country. Investigator Steve Hough says the December 9 th, event in Santa Rosa County, when the suspect came out of the home on Camille Garden Circle firing guns in both hands, initially seemed like something out of a movie. He says he relied on his training and returned fire immediately. But when he was knocked to the ground and saw all the blood, he realized he d been shot in the face.. In addition to that injury, two bullets also went through Investigator Hough s leg, injuries he was unaware of until he arrived at the Emergency Room. Hough, who is part of the OCSO Sexual Predator & Offender Unit, was working at the time as part of a U.S. Marshals Service team. Investigator Hough and his wife Tanya say they want to voice their extreme gratitude for the emotional and financial support offered by co-workers, family, friends, local citizens, and even complete strangers over the last two months. It s just been incredible, said Hough. The amount of support that s come in is still, to this day, it s overwhelming. It s phenomenal. Hough and his wife Tanya say it has boosted their spirits and helped ease the painful process of recovery. Hough says he plans to return to his job as a law enforcement officer once he s gotten through all the planned surgeries. He also wants to be able to share his experiences with fellow law enforcement officers in hopes his experience may provide insights that would benefit others who also find themselves in a gunfight. To watch an interview with Investigator Hough, divided into two segments, click on the following links: 4&feature=plcp&context=C37875c6UDOEgsToPDskKy4VTVRNilwZ1TCYxuRkht

4 DESTIN MAN ARRESTED FOR HOUSING SCAM Investigators with the Okaloosa County Sheriff s Office say there may be additional victims connected to a scam involving a Destin man who posed as a real estate agent and rented out vacant homes without the owners knowledge. 40-year old William Richard Slattery III is charged with multiple counts of racketeering and posing as an unlicensed real estate broker. Deputies say Slattery, working under the name SGI Services, leased out vacant or abandoned homes on Quail Lake Boulevard, Harborwind Court and Cypress Street. In some cases, the homeowners, who knew nothing of the rentals, were filing for bankruptcy and the homes were in foreclosure. Investigator Jim Hoisington says there may be additional victims in the area. Anyone with information is asked to contact Hoisington at the Okaloosa County Sheriff s Office Criminal Investigations Division, Inspector George Collins received Congressional Recognition for work investigating and increasing public awareness about the crime of human trafficking. Inspector Collins brought national and international attention to problems with the J-1 Summer Work Travel Visa program and subsequent exploitation of foreign workers at the hands of some labor brokers who abuse the program. Collins received an award for his professionalism and dedication from Florida 1 st District U.S. Congressman Jeff Miller, presented by District Aide Helen Rigdon.

5 OCSO 2011 AWARDS HONOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMERS iinvestigato From left to right: Investigator John Merchant Medal of Merit Investigator Todd Watkins Medal of Valor Investigator Steve Hough Medal of Valor Investigator Jeff McGill Medal of Merit 2011 Investigator of Yr. Al McDonough 2011 Deputy of the Year Heath Hehl Supervisor of Year Sgt. Ron Kimble Field Services Corp. Michael Smith

6 OCSO 2011 AWARDS HONOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMERS iinvestigato From left to right: Frank Pop Spinella -Volunteer of the Year Lucien Byron, Jr. Volunteer with 10 Yrs Service Morris Stew Stewart Posse Member of the Year Support Services Dep. Charlie Bozeman Non-Sworn Employee Deborah Anderson From left to right: Angie Barrow - Communications Performer of Yr. Frankie Burgess - Operations Division Ashley Bailey -Support Services Division

7 THE SOFTBALL SHOWDOWN FOR KIDS!

8 COMBINING LISTENING & CARING CHAPLAIN S CORNER My favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13, which reads I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Having been in law enforcement for 20 years before going into the ministry I often believed I could do all things on my own. It wasn t until many years later when I realized I needed and wanted God to be in control of my life. It didn t mean that I was not going to make any of my own decisions but that I could go to him and be guided by his wisdom. I also sought advice from people who had been there and done that and have the tee shirt. Okaloosa County Sheriff s Office has five chaplains who are here to be a listening ear and yes, maybe even dispense some wisdom. All have had experience in dealing with tragedies and heartache and know how to listen and not judge. So if you are thinking you have to do all things on your own, you don t. We are here and can be reached 24/7. Not because we have to but because we want to. Know you are being prayed for and we ask God to keep you and your family safe and well. We look forward to serving you in any way we can. Chaplain Dennis Walker