By Chief Fred Maas

On Thursday, March 19, 2009, former Communications Officer for Sunny Isles Beach, Ms. Tifany Stephenson, graduated from the Broward Police Academy and is now, Police Officer Tifany Stephenson.  And to say she did it in a classy way would be an understatement.  Tifany walked away with not only her badge and certificate, she walked away as the recipient of the prestigious “Officer Frankie Shivers” Memorial Award.  Officer Shivers is memorialized thru an academy class to the one recruit who goes “Above and Beyond” during their academy training. 

This dedication would be to self, colleagues, the community, the academy, and any other facets whereby a recruit can distinguish themselves for going the extra mile.  Is it any wonder a Sunny Isles Beach Police recruit won the award?  Well, it has been the mantra of your Police Department since 1998.  These are the type of individuals we strive to hire, in service to you. 

Officer Frankie Shivers was a female Hollywood Police Officer for less than one year when she was gunned down by a mentally disturbed and suicidal subject.  The very subject she was trying to help but it cost both of them their lives.  Officer Shivers in a very short period of time, became a favorite of her colleagues and the department.  Clearly, she had what it took and laid it all on the line while helping another officer and a disturbed citizen which cost her, her life.  And therefore, she is memorialized thru the Broward County Institute of Public Safety and Police Academy, by recognizing a very special recruit. 

Tifany Stephenson is a very special recruit and now has a standard to follow, a goal to pursue and a role model to exemplify in Officer Frankie Shivers.  May she always do honor to that legacy.  Congratulations Tifany, we shall see you on the streets in service to your community as “Frankie” lives on…

Note:  The Sunny Isles Beach Police Department is grateful to the Broward Police Academy for its recognition of Cadet Stephenson thru this award.  We are also grateful to all those under the leadership of Ms. Linda Wood, Dean of the Institute whose continued efforts developed and produced such a fine academy class so serve our South Florida Community.