Marco Island Sun-Times (Florida)
The Marco Police Foundation recognized Officers of the Month Brian Hood and Steve Devore at their luncheon on Nov. 17. The foundation also gave special Recognition Awards to officers Brian Ketterhagen, Mike Peña and George Guyer for their efforts.
Officers Brian Hood and Steve Devore were selected as Officers of the Month for September and October, respectively.
Officer Hood is evidence officer/evidence technician for the police department, a position requiring patience and attention to detail.
Following a rash of burglaries associated with a series of break-ins to unoccupied condos, where the suspect not only consumed food and alcohol but also stole items, Hood was assigned to process the crime scenes. Using fingerprint evidence recovery, he was able to lift more than 100 latent fingerprints from the scene. Technicians at the sheriff’s office identified 73 of the prints, belonging to a Marco Island man with a criminal record. This positive identification led to issuing an arrest warrant for burglary while armed, grand theft, petit theft, fraudulent use of a credit card, trespass, and criminal mischief.
While on patrol on Oct. 22, Officer Devore observed a car being driven by a 58-year-old man whom he recognized from a previous arrest. Knowing he did not have a driver’s license, Devore activated his emergency lights to warn the driver to stop. The driver quickly pulled into a parking lot, ignored Devore’s orders and entered a house of worship. As Officer Devore attempted to detain him, the man pulled free.
Devore drew his conducted energy weapon (Taser), warned the man, and when he attempted to flee discharged the Taser. When one of the prongs from the Taser became dislodged, it was ineffective. Devore had to reload and discharge it again. The suspect was incapacitated and remained down until a second officer arrived to assist in the arrest.
The suspect was taken into custody for driving while his license was suspended and resisting an officer with violence.
Officer Hood gave credit to team effort and complimented Detective Glenn Zirgibel, Officer Brian Ketterhagen and the cooperation of others who were involved in the case.
Officer Devore also attributed his success to a team effort with Officers Brian Hood and Anthony Ruggiero.
Officers Mike Peña, George Guyer, and Brian Ketterhagen were recognized for their efforts in apprehending a suspect after the warrant was issued for his arrest in the series of condominium burglaries. When initial attempts were unsuccessful, the officers devised strategies and concepts of community policing to investigate leads, personally visit businesses and condominiums to interview potential witnesses, and perform surveillance where the suspect might be found.
When they obtained information that the suspect might frequent an area business after their shifts were over, the officers volunteered to work without pay. However, they were authorized to receive overtime pay, and they conducted surveillance, but the suspect did not appear. Approximately 15 minutes after the officers left, a store employee contacted Officer Peña on his cell phone. Officers responded, taking the 37-year-old man into custody for the crimes listed on the warrant. They also discovered that he had just shoplifted from the store.
Their determination and teamwork led to the successful apprehension of the suspect.