SIB Police Win Two Separate Prestigious L.E.O. Awards…
By Chief Fred Maas

It was ALMOST a clean sweep! It could not have been closer. Winners of 2 of the 3 categories they were nominated for, the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department proudly took home 2 L.E.O. (Law Enforcement Officers) Awards and were runner-up in the 3rd category. Needless to say it was very moving and very proud winning for the City, the Police Department and all our supporters.

On Saturday evening, February 18, 2006, more than 750 people gathered for the largest turnout ever in the 6 year history of this gala event. The L.E.O.’s are Dade County’s answer to the Academy Awards for local law enforcement in Dade County. The event was held at the Sheraton Bal Harbour Hotel in the grand ballroom. Mr. Brian Andrews, popular T.V. News Reporter for CBS-4 was the Emcee again for this year’s event.

The entire City Commission of Sunny Isles Beach was on hand to witness the event. They were all smiles as the winners were announced from our city and police department. Winners were presented a beautiful bronze statue of the L.E.O. Lion. Our winners were:

Sunny Isles Beach Motorcycle and Traffic Unit with Team Leader Ken Hackett along with the entire team of officers:

Steve Hamedl
Steve Brenton
Thao Doan
Javier Estevez
Yohans Martinez

Also winning for investigative agent of the year was Sunny Isles Beach police detective Steve Diaz for his extensive undercover work in prolonged narcotics and money laundering operations for DEA. (photo not shown intentionally)

A near miss from a clean sweep happened when Sgt. Don Reynolds was first runner up in the Community Policing/Crime Prevention Category. Sgt. Reynolds had won the officer of the month award for January for his dedication to community policing and problem solving.

On behalf of the Mayor, the City Commissioners, the entire police department and all the residents who support us, a very hearty CONGRATULATIONS on such a terrific showing. This now makes ten (10) L.E.O. Awards the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department has won since the inception of the event in 2000.

On behalf of all who attended, I wish to thank and recognize Mr. Richard C. Schulman, City Historian, who photographed the entire event and captured so many wonderful moments on film. Our grateful appreciation to you, Richard!

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