2014 Duty Officer of the Quarter

January through March | Duty Officer Christopher Baker

Congratulations to Duty Officer Christopher Baker on his selection as the Florida Highway Patrol Duty Officer of the Quarter for January through March 2014.

On Wednesday, March 5, 2014, Baker received a 911 transfer call involving a suicidal subject at the rest area at the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Baker immediately established a rapport with the caller and was able to gather all pertinent information.

Baker was empathetic while making sure that the subject had not harmed himself or anyone else. Baker remained on the phone with the subject for almost 20 minutes until a law enforcement officer from St. Petersburg arrived.

Baker’s work ethic, professional knowledge, dedication and perseverance make him a real asset to the Ft. Myers Regional Communications Center. Baker is congratulated for being selected as the Florida Highway Patrol Duty Officer of the Quarter for January through March 2014.

April through June | Duty Officer Sean D. Pinto

Congratulations to Duty Officer Sean D. Pinto on his selection as a co­recipient of the Florida Highway Patrol Duty Officer of the Quarter for April through June 2014.

On Monday, May 19, 2014, Pinto received a call from a gentleman advising that his wife was having trouble breathing. He stated that she was supposed to be on oxygen and the oxygen machine had lost power and she was struggling for air. The gentleman gave his location and Pinto immediately recognized that he was very close to the Okahumpka Service Plaza. Pinto advised him to go to the Service Plaza and that he would dispatch rescue and a trooper immediately. While on the phone, Pinto alerted Duty Officer Schaaf to call rescue. Duty Officer Schaaf notified rescue and dispatched a trooper to the plaza immediately.

In the meantime, Pinto instructed the gentleman to get his wife and the machine out of the vehicle and into the service plaza. The gentleman gave the phone to his 9-year old son while he was getting his wife into the service plaza. Pinto began to speak with the child to get additional information about his mother and assured him that she would be fine.

Once inside the service plaza, Pinto advised the child to assist his father in locating an outlet to plug the machine into. Once the outlet was located and it was confirmed that it was working, Pinto again asked the child how his mother was doing and he replied “yes, a little better”. Pinto continued to provide comforting words to the child and stayed on the phone with him and the father until you confirmed that the trooper had arrived.

Pinto’s work ethic, professional knowledge, dedication and perseverance make him a real asset to the Florida Highway Patrol. Pinto is congratulated for being selected as a co-recipient of the Florida Highway Patrol Duty Officer of the Quarter for April through June 2014.

July through September | Communications Training Officer Maria Cruz

Congratulations to Communications Training Officer Maria Cruz on her selection as the Florida Highway Patrol Duty Officer of the Quarter for July through September 2014.

On Saturday, July 12, 2014, Cruz received a call from a gentleman advising that he wanted to end his life. He advised that he was on the Turnpike southbound near the exit of SW 152nd Street. Cruz was able to keep the gentleman on the phone and from taking his own life until FHP units could arrive.

Cruz’s work ethic, professional knowledge, dedication and perseverance make her a real asset to the Florida Highway Patrol. Cruz is congratulated for being selected as the Florida Highway Patrol Duty Officer of the Quarter for July through September 2014.

October through December | Regional Duty Officer Sandra Bomar

Congratulations to Regional Duty Officer Sandra Bomar on her selection as the Florida Highway Patrol Duty Officer of the Quarter for October through December 2014.

On Thursday, October 9, 2014, Bomar received a call from a gentleman advising that his young daughter had just spotted the vehicle that was described in a Silver Alert-that had been posted on the Dynamic Message Boards by the Florida Department of Transportation.

Bomar immediately dispatched a trooper to the location in St. Petersburg while gathering pertinent information from the caller. The trooper was able to locate the vehicle and bring it to a safe stop. The response on this day not only resulted in the safe recovery of an elderly person in danger but made a lasting impression on the caller and his young daughter.

Bomar’s work ethic, professional knowledge, dedication and perseverance make her a real asset to the Florida Highway Patrol. Bomar is congratulated for being selected as the Florida Highway Patrol Duty Officer of the Quarter for October through December 2014.