The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office celebrated its dedicated team during the Awards and Longevity Ceremony on Wednesday—the first official awards ceremony under Sheriff Christopher A. Blackmon. Held at the Sheriff’s Office in Kissimmee, the event honored deputies, civilians, and community members who have gone above and beyond in their service to Osceola County.
Sheriff Blackmon welcomed guests with words of gratitude and reflection, saying, “As we celebrate these achievements, let us reaffirm our commitment to one another and to the continued success of our shared mission.”
The ceremony spotlighted a wide range of commendations:
Life Saving Award
Deputies Carlos Abreu, Shawn Earl, and Johnathan Fritz were recognized for rescuing a disabled man trapped in a burning motel room—risking their own lives to bring him to safety.
Distinguished Service Awards
- Deputy Jacob Santiago-Nunez – For proactive and off-duty law enforcement leading to felony arrests.
- Agent Al Rodriguez – For leading Osceola County’s first successful wiretap investigation, resulting in 34 arrests.
- Detective Jennia Vega – For creating a calming Soft Interview Room for abuse survivors.
- Sgt. Jordan Fisher – For leadership in high-profile investigations and as a full-time SWAT operator.
Sheriff’s Special Awards
- Yelaila Portilla, a Narcoossee Middle School student, was honored for courageously standing up to bullying on social media.
- Gabriel Cruz, a civilian, was commended for assisting a deputy during a violent arrest, helping prevent further harm.
Unit Citations
- Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) – For a 70% clearance rate in complex violent crime cases.
- Special Victims Unit – For its role in establishing a trauma-informed interview space for victims.
- Detective Kristen Minervino & Deputy Michael Sweeney – For safe and strategic apprehension of a bank robbery suspect.
Administrative Excellence
Sgt. Ashley Sobiech and Evidence Specialist Jaydalin Torres were honored for their leadership in the “File On Queue” project, enhancing interdepartmental efficiency.
Certificate of Appreciation
Det. Justin Akins was recognized for solving a cold case homicide, providing long-awaited closure to the victim’s family.
Back the Blue Award Presentation
One of the ceremony’s special moments was the presentation of the Back the Blue Award by Rob Rosen, an Edward Jones financial advisor in Kissimmee in partnership with the Osceola Chamber of Commerce. The award recognized several employees for their consistent excellence as Employees of the Month:
- April 2025
- Sworn: Sgt. James Lindbery
- Civilian: Kathryn Fowler
- May 2025
- Sworn: Det. Kyle Gregory
- Civilian: Maritza Rodriguez
- June 2025
- Sworn: Det. David Speight
- Civilian: Stefanie Edwards
The Sheriff’s Office also expressed sincere appreciation to community partners Chick-fil-A, Bella Roma Pizza, and Margaritaville Resort for their continued support of law enforcement efforts in Osceola County…