Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman presented several awards at a ceremony on Wednesday.

Deputies Cameron Lock, Bensly Melidor, and Andrew Symuleski received the Life Saving Award regarding a suicidal male who was at the Deer Prairie Creek Preserve Park holding a shotgun to his chest. Before deputies arrived, the male had shot himself. Lock, Symuleski, and Melidor arrived simultaneously and located the male lying face up on the ground with a gunshot wound on the left side of his chest. Lock and Symuleski began life saving measures. Melidor retrieved two chest seals for Lock, who applied them to the gunshot injury. Once the application was complete, Deputies Lock and Symuleski held a dressing over the wound and applied pressure.

The Sarasota County Fire Department (SCFD) arrived and took over aid. SCFD personnel advised that the loss of blood was minimal due to the quick actions and proper techniques utilized by the deputies. The male was flown by Bayflite to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where he underwent surgery and survived. The deputies performed swiftly while making proper decisions and providing lifesaving procedures which were crucial in preserving the male's life.

Digital Forensics Lab (DFL) and Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit received the Meritorious Achievement Award for demonstrating exceptional dedication, innovation, and impact on the agency.

The DFL/ICAC Unit has initiated critical agency-wide improvements that have significantly enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of the agency. Their key contributions include an agency-wide training initiative that delivers unmatched expertise in digital forensics, combats child exploitation, and fosters proactive community education.

The DFL/ICAC Unit developed and implemented a comprehensive Electronic Search Warrant training program for the entire Investigations Bureau. This training covered extraction review, particularity, scope, and the use of digital tools for data analysis. This training results in enhanced investigative capabilities across the bureau, increased credibility in court testimony regarding electronic evidence, and standardized practices that improve legal defensibility and operational consistency. Remarkably, the DFL is one of the few labs in the nation with no backlog, having processed 394 electronic devices and 98.99 terabytes of data in the first half of 2025 alone.

Additionally, the ICAC Unit investigated 285 cyber tips during the first half of 2025 related to child sexual exploitation, resulting in numerous criminal charges for possession and transmission of exploitative material. Their work directly protects vulnerable children and brings offenders to justice. The unit also took proactive steps to prevent further exploitation by hosting a community presentation for parents on internet safety, attended by approximately 30 parents.

Ed Kolodzieski, CEO of Ultra-Marine, was also recognized at the ceremony with the Community Partnership Award for his generous donation of Zodiac boats to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. Mr. Kolodzieski, a retired Marine Unit Officer with a distinguished career in both law enforcement and the private sector, has greatly supported the Marine Unit and DIVE Team’s response capabilities in local emergencies.

“Today we recognize the exceptional men and women whose dedication and professionalism elevate this agency and protect our community each day,” said Sheriff Hoffman. “We are also grateful to live in a county where good people still exist and care about their community.”