Left to right: Communications Operator III Alyssa Rodriguez, Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman; Deputies Leonard Weg Jr. and Aleksandr Gorislavets, Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman; Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman, Background Investigator Keith E. Muncy, Administrative Assistant III Shannon L. Benton, Human Resources Specialist Laura L. Carlen, Personnel Manager Emily M. Mruczek, Human Resources Director Staci J. Pickavance, Senior Human Resources Specialist Lacy Zahidi, Human Resources Specialist Carrie D. Shaw, and Background Investigator Paul G. Santos.
Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman presented several awards at a ceremony on Wednesday.
Communications Operator III Alyssa Rodriguez received the Life Saving Award for her handling of a 911 call regarding an unconscious male within the Carlton Preserve. To assist in locating the victim and the caller, Operator Rodriguez utilized her Rapid Deploy Radius map which allowed her to narrow down the incident location to within 22 feet. Operator Rodriguez assessed the victim’s condition over the phone and provided CPR instructions to the caller while updating the sheriff’s office Aviation Unit as well as other responding units. Days later, family members contacted the sheriff’s office to inform that the male subject had survived and credited Operator Rodriguez for her diligence and commitment to help save the victim’s life.
Deputies Aleksandr Gorislavets and Leonard Weg Jr. received the Life Saving Award for their actions at a call for an unresponsive male inside a vehicle. Upon his arrival, Deputy Gorislavets pulled the victim from the vehicle and initiated CPR. Deputy Weg arrived shortly after and took over lifesaving efforts until Sarasota County Fire Department paramedics arrived and transported the patient. Paramedics confirmed that Deputies Gorislavets and Weg’s quick and decisive actions helped save the patient’s life.
Human Resources Director Staci J. Pickavance, Personnel Manager Emily M. Mruczek, Senior Human Resources Specialist Lacy Zahidi, Human Resources Specialists Laura L. Carlen and Carrie D. Shaw, Administrative Assistant III Shannon L. Benton, and Background Investigators Keith E. Muncy and Paul G. Santos received the coveted Meritorious Achievement Award for their extensive work to streamline recruitment efforts. By building an online application program, the Human Resources Bureau used innovation and teamwork to modernize their efforts and make the process definitively more efficient. The improved process allowed for double the number of screened applications. These efforts had a notable impact on filling vacancies, especially within the Courts and Corrections Division and the Emergency Operations Bureau. Investigators Muncy and Santos meticulously processed 204 applicant files ensuring that each candidate met the rigorous hiring policies. Each of these members exceeded expectations and demonstrated tremendous work ethic, both individually and as a unit.
“Dedication to and pride in their work is exhibited by each of these award recipients,” said Sheriff Hoffman. “Training and teamwork are critical to their achievements, and we are grateful for the efforts of every member.”