2023 Duty Officers of the Quarter

January through March | State Law Enforcement Dispatchers Miguel Ojeda, Jordyn Fine, Michael Halfpenny, Jonathan Miller, and Zachary Mills

Congratulations to State Law Enforcement Dispatchers (SLED) Miguel Ojeda, Jordyn Fine, Michael Halfpenny, Jonathan Miller, and Zachary Mills for being selected as the recipients of the Florida Highway Patrol State Law Enforcement Dispatcher of the Quarter from January through March 2023.

SkillBridge Intern (SI) Miguel Ojeda (now a SLED), SLEDs Jordyn Fine, Michael Halfpenny, Jonathan Miller, and Zachary Mills were nominated for their actions on February 4, 2023, when each member of the team utilized their unique skills as they worked together to handle a critical incident involving a pursuit and a shooting involving Trooper Steven Turner. The call quickly turned from a routine call of a possible abandoned vehicle to a shooting, requiring each team member to put forth great effort to keep up with the fast-changing developments. It required remarkable coordination between FHP, Hernando SO, Pasco EMS, Pasco SO, Hillsborough SO, and FDLE. The call resulted in one deceased suspect, one injured and arrested suspect, and Trooper Turner being critically injured. This type of call is always challenging. However, all members handled it like it was routine, and their ability to work as a team was flawless.

April through June | State Law Enforcement Dispatcher Tieny Ventura

Congratulations to State Law Enforcement Dispatcher (SLED) Tieny Ventura for being selected as the recipient of the Florida Highway Patrol State Law Enforcement Dispatcher of the Quarter from April through June 2023.

SLED Tieny Ventura received a crash report about a vehicle hitting a juvenile. The juvenile, whose identity was unknown, was transported to Arnold Palmer Hospital (APH) with life-threatening injuries. APH advised SLED Ventura that the juvenile wore a hoodie with a team name, number, and last name. She took the initiative and contacted local police agencies to determine if there were any reports of missing juveniles. She then contacted the local schools and requested they check their records for students with the last name on the hoodie. They provided a juvenile’s name and emergency contact information fitting the description. SLED Ventura contacted the juvenile’s father, and he was able to identify his son by the clothing description. She advised him that his son had been involved in a serious accident and directed him to APH. Later, she contacted the father and was informed that his son had passed away.

SLED Ventura went above and beyond in trying to locate the next of kin due to the severity of the situation. She displayed compassion and concern throughout the incident and assisted a parent with locating their child and facilitating some amount of closure from the tragedy.

July through September | State Law Enforcement Dispatcher Jordyn Fine

Congratulations to State Law Enforcement Dispatcher (SLED) Jordyn Fine for being selected as the recipient of the Florida Highway Patrol State Law Enforcement Dispatcher of the Quarter from July through September 2023.

On August 12, 2023, TBRCC SLED Jordyn Fine received a request from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) regarding a vehicle pursuit of a domestic violence suspect involved in a shooting. The suspect had fled Pasco County deputies and had entered Hillsborough County. Troopers quickly responded to assist PSCO and other local police with the coordination of Fine. The fleeing subject continuously fired shots at pursuing law enforcement while driving and creating a deadly situation for anyone in the area. Ultimately, the pursuit ended when the criminal crashed into a pond. He exited the vehicle and fled on foot while continuing to shoot at law enforcement. While running, he continued engaging troopers and other law enforcement in a gun battle. Trooper Roberts and others returned fire to stop the threat, and they did just that. The fleeing criminal was quickly taken into custody and transported to Tampa General Hospital for treatment of injuries sustained. He later succumbed to his injuries. During this incident, SLED Fine held the radio channel for emergency traffic, kept Trooper Roberts and others updated on all pertinent information, and documented situational updates for needed reference in follow-up investigations. She continued to document activity, confirm officer safety and relay pertinent information to ensure units were kept up-to-date.

SLED Jordyn Fine went above and beyond to ensure that troopers and partner agencies were informed and safe. She maintained a calm, professional, and reassuring demeanor that is characteristic of a member of the Florida Highway Patrol and the Tampa Bay Regional Communications Center.

October through December| State Law Enforcement Dispatcher Hector Rameriz

Congratulations to State Law Enforcement Dispatcher (SLED) Hector Rameriz for being selected as the recipient of the Florida Highway Patrol State Law Enforcement Dispatcher of the Quarter from October through December 2023.

On October 30, 2023, State Law Enforcement Dispatcher (SLED) Hector Ramirez received a call from an armed individual near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge requesting mental health help. He immediately recognized the despair in the subject’s voice and notified FHP units in the area to respond.

Meanwhile, as FHP Troopers were enroute, SLED Ramirez began to ask the individual clarifying questions about themself and what was going on. SLED Rameriz continued to speak in a genuinely caring manner to this person establishing a rapport. Throughout the conversation, SLED Ramirez asked questions regarding vehicle type, personal details, and general life questions to discover more information in hopes of making and continuing a connection with the subject. SLED Ramirez spoke with the individual for nearly 10 minutes until Troopers arrived. The individual eventually did not harm themselves and was taken care of by the responding Troopers. SLED Rameriz maintained a calm, professional, and reassuring demeanor characteristic of a member of the Florida Highway Patrol and the dedicated members of our Regional Communications Centers statewide.