Sunny Isles Police Break Record by Winning PBA Prestigious Award for 2nd Time
By Chief Fred Maas

On Saturday, May 22, 2004, more than 600 persons from the Judicial system, legislative branch and executive section of law enforcement and government, gathered at the Miami Beach Wyndham Hotel for the annual Police Benevolent Associations Gala and Officer of the Year Program.

Eight finalists from various local law enforcement agencies were present to learn whom would receive the honor of being selected as Officer of the Year. No municipal police agency had ever won the award twice as that distinction had only been reserved for the prolific Miami-Dade Police Department.

But history was about to change as a loud roar of approval went up from the delegation from Sunny Isles Beach when Officer Javier Estevez's name was announced as this year's Officer of the Year.

Officer Estevez had been nominated back in December of 2003 by Chief Maas for his heroic rescue of a drowning victim and a life guard who was in trouble himself. The incident occurred over Labor Day Weekend of 2003 when severe riptide currents plagued the entire southeast coast and its beaches.

Lifeguard Scott Ventura had just completed his eighth rescue of the day of a swimmer in trouble when he was immediately summoned to another rescue. In this case, a swimmer in trouble had lost consciousness and as two other swimmers tried to help, they also became caught in the current. The lifeguard, Ventura, reached the unconscious male swimmer but could not return to shore as he was physically exhausted and was now in extreme danger of drowning himself.

Officer Estevez arrived on the scene and after receiving supervisory approval he stripped himself of all his police gear and clothing and entered the ocean. The lifeguard and victim were now more than 100 yards from shore. Tiring but determined, Estevez kept his focus on the guard and fought the violent riptides the entire way. At times, he became fearful for his own life and thought of turning back; but he could not leave a colleague or citizen to drown. He fought on and eventually reached the two and passed a life board to the guard who slowly regained his strength and composure.

Together Lifeguard Ventura and Officer Estevez began their journey back to shore with the more than 220 lb victim who was dead weight and unconscious. Absolutely exhausted, they reached shore where emergency medical personnel attended to all of them.

The rest of the story is history and the subsequent awards received by both were well deserved. Officer Estevez is representative of the men and women who daily serve this Community and risk their lives in a moments notice to save others.

We congratulate Officer Estevez, Lifeguard Ventura and the entire force of the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department for bringing such a historic, record setting award back to the City of Sunny Isles Beach.

Officer Estevez will also be submitted for the Top Cop Award in the Nations. We'll keep you posted!


TOP