NEWS RELEASE 25-0042 - AUGUST 7, 2025
Pictured left to right: Sgt Britton Turner, Deputy Jeffrey Mendez, and Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman; Deputy Matthew Kozma and Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman; Andrew DeJonge, Leigh DeJonge, and Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman; Administrative Media Specialist Alanna Gnesin, Creative Communications Specialist Doug Johnson, MultiMedia Specialist Lia Fernandez, Media Relations Specialist Dana Judge, and Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman
Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman presented several awards at a ceremony on Thursday August 7, 2025.
Sergeant Britton D. Turner and Deputy Jeffrey Mendez received the Life Saving Award for responding to a medical call where a patient had collapsed in a parking lot from an apparent cardiac arrest. Sgt. Turner retrieved his defibrillator while Deputy Mendez began assessing the patient. They both worked together and conducted eight rounds of CPR to the patient and provided oxygen with a manual resuscitator. The patient did regain consciousness after additional life-saving measures were conducted at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Nursing staff advised that the immediate CPR greatly improved his chances of surviving the incident. Sergeant Turner and Deputy Mendez exhibited extraordinary merit and dedication to duty in this successful attempt to save the life of this citizen
Deputy Mattthew Kozma received the Life Saving Award for responding to a residence regarding a young female patient reportedly overdosing on a combination of prescription drugs. Upon arrival, he swiftly assessed the unresponsive patient. Observing no detectable pulse or breathing, Deputy Kozma administered CPR. He delivered eight cycles of unassisted CPR, successfully restoring the patient's breathing. The patient was transported to Englewood Hospital. Medical personnel from Sarasota County Fire Department and Englewood Hospital confirmed that the early administration of CPR was the decisive factor in saving the patient's life. Deputy Kozma exhibited extraordinary merit and dedication to duty in this successful attempt to save the life of this citizen.
DeJonge Excavating Contractors received the Community Partnership Award for being an exemplary partner over the past four years, providing exceptional services that have directly enhanced our firearms range safety initiatives and many projects at the Knight's Trail Park Sheriff's Office Range. They performed extensive work repairing and de-leading berms which resolved flooding issues on the property. DeJonge Excavating Contractors Inc. has consistently demonstrated a commitment to fostering collaborative relationships, participating in joint ventures, and contributing innovative ideas that have enriched our efforts. We honor and value strong support for our mission and those who work to serve our community every day.
The Community Affairs Section: Creative Communications Specialist Douglas E. Johnson, Multimedia Specialist Lia O. Fernandez, Media Relation Specialist Dana D. Judge, and Administrative Media Specialist Alanna C. Gnesin, received the Unit Citation Award for building, preparing, developing, and designing a new community event--the SCSO block party. The first annual SCSO block party was held on April 12, 2025, at the SCSO headquarters. The event received an enormous amount of praise from both community attendees and from the sheriff’s office members and volunteers. The block party was a truly free event for the community. Nearly 800 citizens of all age groups attended and participated in positive engagement with units from all three SCSO divisions, the FBI, and Sarasota Crime Stoppers. During the block party, over 25 sheriff's office units engaged and discussed their respective responsibilities, capabilities, and mission. This concept created spontaneous conversation and engagement between the attendees and agency members. This also promoted a chance for law enforcement to foster and build a foundation of trust for impressionable children. The event was a huge success, both as a community experience and as a fund-raiser and food drive for All Faiths Food Bank and the Sarasota County School District. The dedication of the Community Affairs Section reflects the high standards set by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.
“This agency is proud to have so many members who are constantly giving their very best for the citizens of Sarasota County!” stated Sheriff Hoffman. “These members have applied their training and proven their commitment to our community with their heroic efforts and selfless work. We are also grateful to live in a community where good Samaritans still exist and care about their neighbors.”