2022 Duty Officers of the Quarter

January through March | State Law Enforcement Dispatcher Robin Hudak

Congratulations to State Law Enforcement Dispatcher (SLED) Robin Hudak for being selected as the recipient of the Florida Highway Patrol Duty Officer of the Quarter from January through March 2022.

On March 31, 2022, at approximately 10:25 AM, the Tampa Bay Regional Communications Center (TBRCC) received a call regarding the welfare of three children who were reported kidnapped by their non-custodial mother and grandparents and were heading northbound on Interstate 75 to the Jacksonville area. SLED Robin Hudak immediately called the father of the children, who was tracking the suspect vehicle by GPS. SLED Hudak advised all available units to BOLO the area and respond.

SLED Hudak continued to provide updates to units converging on the area. SLED Hudak, along with her co-workers, were able to locate and relay accurate suspect information, which further assisted law enforcement personnel. SLED Hudak directed the father meet Sergeant Malloy to share real time GPS data. As a result of these efforts, troopers were able to detain all three subjects at a Marion County rest area and allowing for the safe recovery of all three children.

This type of call is challenging and beyond the normal routine, however, SLED Hudak handled it with remarkable competence and patience. Her performance during this incident was exemplary. SLED Robin Hudak, an 18-year member of the TBRCC, demonstrated the highest level of professionalism and proficiency in dispatching to assist this desperate father while representing the ideals and mission of the Florida Highway Patrol.

April through June | State Law Enforcement Dispatcher Erica Reilly

Congratulations to State Law Enforcement Dispatcher (SLED) Erica Reilly for being selected as the recipient of the Florida Highway Patrol Duty Officer of the Quarter from April through June 2022.

On April 14, 2022, the Lake Worth Regional Communications Center (LWRCC) received a call from a friend of a woman who was being sexually assaulted by a ride share driver. SLED Reilly obtained information from the caller and gave it to field units to have them respond. She then contacted the victim and local sheriff’s office to work with them both to get accurate locations and descriptions to assist the troopers in finding the vehicle. She was unable to use Computer Aided Dispatch due to it being inoperable, so she handled the situation on both the radio and phone without neglecting either. SLED Reilly asked the victim relevant questions the victim could answer without alerting the suspect. She was able to maintain contact with the victim until troopers were able to locate the vehicle and take control of the situation.

July through September | State Law Enforcement Dispatcher Kristin Kelskey

Congratulations to State Law Enforcement Dispatcher (SLED) Kristin Kelskey for being selected as the recipient of the Florida Highway Patrol Duty Officer of the Quarter from July through September 2022.

On August 3, 2022, SLED Kelskey received information that a Road Ranger on I-75 was with a suspicious male subject who was holding a child next to an abandoned vehicle. SLED Kelskey recognized the subject from an earlier interaction with a trooper. She queried the trooper on the radio regarding the interaction and dispatched a unit to the scene. SLED Kelskey monitored traffic cameras to keep a visual on the subject. She checked the subject for warrants and relayed essential information to the field units. When troopers arrived on scene, the male walked towards a fenced canal with the child in his arms. The man was detained after he became aggressive and was transported for a medical evaluation. DCF took custody of the three-year-old child while attempts were made to locate the mother. During the entire event, SLED Kelskey continuously updated the CAD, ensured all were notified, and conducted timely welfare checks on the units at the scene, ensuring public and officer safety.

October through December | State Law Enforcement Dispatcher Graham Graczyk

Congratulations to State Law Enforcement Dispatcher (SLED) Graham Graczyk for being selected as the recipient of the Florida Highway Patrol Duty Officer of the Quarter from October through December 2022.

On November 27, State Law Enforcement Dispatcher (SLED) Graham Graczyk received a call from a mother about her son who was suicidal and possibly driving on Interstate 95 in Palm Beach County with plans to harm himself. SLED Graczyk immediately put out a BOLO to the field units and then took it upon himself to call the subject to gauge his state of mind and current location. Initially, the subject was hesitant to speak with him, however after reassuring him that he wasn’t in trouble, SLED Graczyk began to build a rapport, expressing his genuine concern. The subject became more responsive and gave updates on his location. SLED Graczyk asked the subject to pull over for his own safety. The subject was adamant that he did not want to speak with a law enforcement officer but was willing to stay on the phone with SLED Graczyk. The subject arrived at his residence, a gated community, but was denied entry by the security guard at his mother’s request. SLED Graczyk remained on the phone while the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBCSO) responded. The security guard struggled to convey his message to the subject, so SLED Graczyk assisted with getting the subject to wait to speak with his mother and a PBCSO officer without further incident. SLED Graczyk showed compassion, was patient and courteous. It was evident in the subject’s voice and actions that SLED Graczyk made a difference.