CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MEN AND WOMEN IN BLUE OF THE CORAL GABLES POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Please join us in congratulating the following individuals on their promotions. And welcome our newest officers as they take their Oath of Office.
Promotions
Detective Velier Zaccheo - to the rank of Sergeant
Officer Bo Williams - to the rank of Sergeant
Oath of Office
Officer Alexander Rodriguez
Officer Elmer Alvarado
Officer Christian Crespo
Officer Esteban Soza
Officer William Vazquez Gonzalez
Promotions
Detective Velier Zaccheo - to the rank of Sergeant
Officer Bo Williams - to the rank of Sergeant
Oath of Office
Officer Alexander Rodriguez
Officer Elmer Alvarado
Officer Christian Crespo
Officer Esteban Soza
Officer William Vazquez Gonzalez
2019 OFFICERS OF THE MONTH
December, 2019 -
November, 2019 -
October, 2019 -
September, 2019 -
August, 2019 -
July, 2019 -
June, 2019 -
May, 2019 -
April, 2019 -
March, 2019 -
February, 2019 -
January, 2019 - Officer Christopher Challenger and Officer Alexander Toledo
November, 2019 -
October, 2019 -
September, 2019 -
August, 2019 -
July, 2019 -
June, 2019 -
May, 2019 -
April, 2019 -
March, 2019 -
February, 2019 -
January, 2019 - Officer Christopher Challenger and Officer Alexander Toledo
2018 Awards
2018 Civilian Police Department Employee-of-the-Year Award -
2018 Reverend Doctor Arnold Perry Citizen-of-the-Year Award -
2018 James Avery Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award -
2018 George P. Webster Member-of-the-Year Award -
2018 Robert P. DeKorte Memorial Award -
2018 Reverend Doctor Arnold Perry Citizen-of-the-Year Award -
2018 James Avery Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award -
2018 George P. Webster Member-of-the-Year Award -
2018 Robert P. DeKorte Memorial Award -
2018 OFFICERS OF THE MONTH and YEAR
OFFICER OF THE YEAR, 2018 - Sgt. Velier Zaccheo
December, 2018 - Officer Justin Gonzalez
November, 2018 -
October, 2018 - Officer Khaled Taha
September, 2018 - Officer Gordon Dickinson
August, 2018 -
July, 2018 - Sergeant Janesse Soto
June, 2018 - Officer Bryan Maizo
May, 2018 -
April, 2018 - Officer Christopher Challenger
March, 2018 - Officer Joel Rios
February, 2018 -
January, 2018 - Officer Khaled Taha
Detective of the Quarter Award - Detective Michelle Christensen
December, 2018 - Officer Justin Gonzalez
November, 2018 -
October, 2018 - Officer Khaled Taha
September, 2018 - Officer Gordon Dickinson
August, 2018 -
July, 2018 - Sergeant Janesse Soto
June, 2018 - Officer Bryan Maizo
May, 2018 -
April, 2018 - Officer Christopher Challenger
March, 2018 - Officer Joel Rios
February, 2018 -
January, 2018 - Officer Khaled Taha
Detective of the Quarter Award - Detective Michelle Christensen
2017 Awards
2017 Civilian Police Department Employee-of-the-Year Award - Krizia McGraw
2017 Reverend Doctor Arnold Perry Citizen-of-the-Year Award - Rabbi Jonathan Fisch
2017 James Avery Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award - Officer James Banks
2017 George P. Webster Member-of-the-Year Award - Sergeant Randy Hoff
2017 Robert P. DeKorte Memorial Award - Officer Nelson Garcia
2017 Reverend Doctor Arnold Perry Citizen-of-the-Year Award - Rabbi Jonathan Fisch
2017 James Avery Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award - Officer James Banks
2017 George P. Webster Member-of-the-Year Award - Sergeant Randy Hoff
2017 Robert P. DeKorte Memorial Award - Officer Nelson Garcia
2017 OFFICERS OF THE MONTH
December, 2017 - Officer Joel Rios
November, 2017 - Officer Robert Thomson
October, 2017 -
September, 2017 - Officer Gordon Dickinson
August, 2017 - Officer Christopher Naya
July, 2017 - Officer Cristino Perez
June, 2017 - Officer Robert Wright
May, 2017 - Sgt. Maurice Sikes
April, 2017 - Officer James Molina
March, 2017 - Officer Joel Rios
February, 2017 - Officer Alex Toledo
January, 2017 - Officer Theresa Luaces
Detective of the Quarter Award - Detective Janesse Soto
Detective of the Quarter Award - Detective Edwin Pagan
Detective of the Quarter Award - Detective Jorge Cardenas
November, 2017 - Officer Robert Thomson
October, 2017 -
September, 2017 - Officer Gordon Dickinson
August, 2017 - Officer Christopher Naya
July, 2017 - Officer Cristino Perez
June, 2017 - Officer Robert Wright
May, 2017 - Sgt. Maurice Sikes
April, 2017 - Officer James Molina
March, 2017 - Officer Joel Rios
February, 2017 - Officer Alex Toledo
January, 2017 - Officer Theresa Luaces
Detective of the Quarter Award - Detective Janesse Soto
Detective of the Quarter Award - Detective Edwin Pagan
Detective of the Quarter Award - Detective Jorge Cardenas
2016 Awards
2016 Civilian Police Department Employee-of-the-Year Award - Jason Plemmons
2016 Reverend Doctor Arnold Perry Citizen-of-the-Year Award - Mrs. Martha Pearson
2016 James Avery Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award - Officer Richard Gruich
2016 George P. Webster Member-of-the-Year Award - Sergeant Javier Bruzos
2016 Robert P. DeKorte Memorial Award - Officer Kelly Denham
2016 Reverend Doctor Arnold Perry Citizen-of-the-Year Award - Mrs. Martha Pearson
2016 James Avery Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award - Officer Richard Gruich
2016 George P. Webster Member-of-the-Year Award - Sergeant Javier Bruzos
2016 Robert P. DeKorte Memorial Award - Officer Kelly Denham
2016 OFFICERS OF THE MONTH and YEAR
OFFICER OF THE YEAR, 2016 - Officer Luis Lopez
November, 2016 - Officer Kevin Kelley
October, 2016 - Officer Jonathan Cloud
September, 2016 - Officer Luis Lopez
August, 2016 - Officer Raul Sheran
July, 2016 - Lt. David Lemon
June 2016 - Officer Jason Cruz
May, 2016 - Officer Jesus J. Rodriguez
April, 2016 - Officer Theresa Luaces
March, 2016 - Officer Wilfredo Diaz
February, 2016 - Officer Joseph Fleres
Honorable Mention - Officer James Lanfear
January, 2016 - Officer Raiza Mardis
Detective of the Quarter Award - Detective Andrew Cachinero
Detective of the Quarter Award - Sgt. Brad Baena
Detective of the Quarter Award - Detective Maurice Poirier
Detective of the Quarter Award - Detective Janesse Soto
November, 2016 - Officer Kevin Kelley
October, 2016 - Officer Jonathan Cloud
September, 2016 - Officer Luis Lopez
August, 2016 - Officer Raul Sheran
July, 2016 - Lt. David Lemon
June 2016 - Officer Jason Cruz
May, 2016 - Officer Jesus J. Rodriguez
April, 2016 - Officer Theresa Luaces
March, 2016 - Officer Wilfredo Diaz
February, 2016 - Officer Joseph Fleres
Honorable Mention - Officer James Lanfear
January, 2016 - Officer Raiza Mardis
Detective of the Quarter Award - Detective Andrew Cachinero
Detective of the Quarter Award - Sgt. Brad Baena
Detective of the Quarter Award - Detective Maurice Poirier
Detective of the Quarter Award - Detective Janesse Soto
Please join us in congratulating the following individuals on their promotions and transfers effective September 5, 2016.
Promotions
Sergeant John Luna - to the rank of Lieutenant - assigned to the Uniform Patrol Division.
Officer Rhonda Jenkins - to Sergeant - assigned to the Uniform Patrol Division.
Officer Lauren Poole - to Sergeant - assigned to the Uniform Patrol Division.
Transfers
Sergeant Javier Bruzos - to the Youth Resource Unit.
Lieutenant Klaus Reinoso - temporarily transferred to the Professional Standards Division.
Sergeant Tomas Salcedo - temporarily transferred to the Community Affairs Unit.
Officer Miguel Baserva - returning to the Uniform Patrol Division.
Officer Hector Diaz - returning to the Uniform Patrol Division.
Please join us in congratulating the following individuals on their promotions and transfers effective September 5, 2016.
Promotions
Sergeant John Luna - to the rank of Lieutenant - assigned to the Uniform Patrol Division.
Officer Rhonda Jenkins - to Sergeant - assigned to the Uniform Patrol Division.
Officer Lauren Poole - to Sergeant - assigned to the Uniform Patrol Division.
Transfers
Sergeant Javier Bruzos - to the Youth Resource Unit.
Lieutenant Klaus Reinoso - temporarily transferred to the Professional Standards Division.
Sergeant Tomas Salcedo - temporarily transferred to the Community Affairs Unit.
Officer Miguel Baserva - returning to the Uniform Patrol Division.
Officer Hector Diaz - returning to the Uniform Patrol Division.
Detective Jose Flores pictured here with his lovely family, accepts the prestigious
Robert DeKorte Memorial Award.
Robert DeKorte Memorial Award.
Awards
2015 Civilian Police Department Employee-of-the-Year Award- Ms. Milly Johnson, Records Clerk
2015 Reverend Doctor Arnold Perry Citizen-of-the-Year Award - Mr. Juan Berenguer, The Berenguer Group
2015 James Avery Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award - K-9 Officer Jose Baez
2015 George P. Webster Member-of-the-Year Award - Sergeant Javier Bruzos
2015 Robert P. DeKorte Memorial Award - Detective Jose Flores
2015 Reverend Doctor Arnold Perry Citizen-of-the-Year Award - Mr. Juan Berenguer, The Berenguer Group
2015 James Avery Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award - K-9 Officer Jose Baez
2015 George P. Webster Member-of-the-Year Award - Sergeant Javier Bruzos
2015 Robert P. DeKorte Memorial Award - Detective Jose Flores
2015 OFFICERS OF THE MONTH
December, 2015 - Officer Paul Peduto
Honorable Mention - Officer Erik Honig
Honorable Mention - Officer Daniel Smith
Honorable Mention - Officer Jose Baez
November, 2015 - Sgt. Maurice Sikes
Honorable Mention - Officer Joseph Fleres
October, 2015 - Officer Daniel Smith
Honorable Mention - Officer Robert Wheeler
September, 2015 - Sgt. Luis Lance
August, 2015 - Officer Emilio Flores
July, 2015 - Officer Hector Diaz
Honorable Mention - Officer Alex Jorva
June, 2015 - Officer V. Merino
May, 2015 - Officer Alexander Jorva
Honorable Mention - Officer Raymond McCalla
April, 2015 - Officer Kevin Kelley
Honorable Mention - Officer Emilio Flores
March, 2015 - Officer Steve St. Amand
Honorable Mention - Officer Raiza Mardis
February, 2015 - Sgt. Phil Thomas
Honorable Mention - Officer Cristino Perez
Honorable Mention - Arturo Lujan
January, 2015 - Officer Gordon Dickinson
Honorable Mention - Detective Jimmy McKee
Honorable Mention - Officer Erik Honig
Honorable Mention - Officer Daniel Smith
Honorable Mention - Officer Jose Baez
November, 2015 - Sgt. Maurice Sikes
Honorable Mention - Officer Joseph Fleres
October, 2015 - Officer Daniel Smith
Honorable Mention - Officer Robert Wheeler
September, 2015 - Sgt. Luis Lance
August, 2015 - Officer Emilio Flores
July, 2015 - Officer Hector Diaz
Honorable Mention - Officer Alex Jorva
June, 2015 - Officer V. Merino
May, 2015 - Officer Alexander Jorva
Honorable Mention - Officer Raymond McCalla
April, 2015 - Officer Kevin Kelley
Honorable Mention - Officer Emilio Flores
March, 2015 - Officer Steve St. Amand
Honorable Mention - Officer Raiza Mardis
February, 2015 - Sgt. Phil Thomas
Honorable Mention - Officer Cristino Perez
Honorable Mention - Arturo Lujan
January, 2015 - Officer Gordon Dickinson
Honorable Mention - Detective Jimmy McKee
OFFICERS OF THE YEAR
2016 Officer of the Year -
Luis Lopez
2015 Officer of the Year -
Det. B. Baena
2015 Officer of the Year -
Honorable Mention - Officer Daniel Smith
Luis Lopez
2015 Officer of the Year -
Det. B. Baena
2015 Officer of the Year -
Honorable Mention - Officer Daniel Smith
Child who survived Gables hit-and-run speaks out
WSVN -- A South Florida child is receiving a show of support from an officer who helped his family find justice, after a frightening hit-and-run. Turns out, the officer who helped track down the suspected driver has a special connection to the case. The Nightteam's Rosh Lowe shows us what happened next in tonight's edition of The Lowedown.
Eight-year-old Sebastian Ochoa has a broken leg, but you can't break his spirit. He leads us through a special prayer he says nightly, a prayer that helped get him through a tough time.
Mike Ochoa: "As a parent, your first focus is to keep your kid safe."
His little boy, lucky to be alive after a horrible hit-and-run crash that crushed his son's leg.
Mike Ochoa: "You start being grateful for how the accident took place. His injury is what it is, 'cause it could have been so much worse."
It was Sept. 3 on South Greenway Drive in Coral Gables. Sebastian was out with his dad, standing by his bicycle. Cops say 19-year-old Dennis Cerrato veered off the road and hit him. Cops say Cerrato took off.
When you come back to the scene, you think of those witnesses who saw this boy on the side of the road in pain, who saw his father by his side, picked up the phone and called 911.
Dispatcher: "Listen to me. I need you to get close to the boy and tell me if the boy is breathing."
Witness: "He's breathing."
Sebastian's father also frantically called 911.
Witness: "He got hit by a car."
Dispatcher: "Is the car still there?"
Witness: "No, the car left the scene."
Cops say, days later, Cerrato returned in the same car about one block from the scene. An alert resident took a photo of the car and sent it to Officer Smith.
Coral Gables Officer Danny Smith: "They chased that car on bicycles to get the tag a week later."
For Coral Gables Police Officer Danny Smith, the arrest was special. In July of 1997, his brother Robbie, a Florida Highway Patrol trooper, was in his patrol car when he was hit and killed by a driver on the side of Interstate 95 in Northwest Miami-Dade.
Officer Danny Smith: "My best friend was Robbie Smith. I do it, not only because of my brother, but it's what I love to do."
What he also loves to do: bring closure to crime victims. Today, he greets Sebastian with gifts.
Officer Danny Smith: "You feel bad for a little boy who was struck by a vehicle and a driver who decided to leave."
But the biggest gift of all is for the family, who thanks God their little boy is alive.
Rosh Lowe, 7News.
Eight-year-old Sebastian Ochoa has a broken leg, but you can't break his spirit. He leads us through a special prayer he says nightly, a prayer that helped get him through a tough time.
Mike Ochoa: "As a parent, your first focus is to keep your kid safe."
His little boy, lucky to be alive after a horrible hit-and-run crash that crushed his son's leg.
Mike Ochoa: "You start being grateful for how the accident took place. His injury is what it is, 'cause it could have been so much worse."
It was Sept. 3 on South Greenway Drive in Coral Gables. Sebastian was out with his dad, standing by his bicycle. Cops say 19-year-old Dennis Cerrato veered off the road and hit him. Cops say Cerrato took off.
When you come back to the scene, you think of those witnesses who saw this boy on the side of the road in pain, who saw his father by his side, picked up the phone and called 911.
Dispatcher: "Listen to me. I need you to get close to the boy and tell me if the boy is breathing."
Witness: "He's breathing."
Sebastian's father also frantically called 911.
Witness: "He got hit by a car."
Dispatcher: "Is the car still there?"
Witness: "No, the car left the scene."
Cops say, days later, Cerrato returned in the same car about one block from the scene. An alert resident took a photo of the car and sent it to Officer Smith.
Coral Gables Officer Danny Smith: "They chased that car on bicycles to get the tag a week later."
For Coral Gables Police Officer Danny Smith, the arrest was special. In July of 1997, his brother Robbie, a Florida Highway Patrol trooper, was in his patrol car when he was hit and killed by a driver on the side of Interstate 95 in Northwest Miami-Dade.
Officer Danny Smith: "My best friend was Robbie Smith. I do it, not only because of my brother, but it's what I love to do."
What he also loves to do: bring closure to crime victims. Today, he greets Sebastian with gifts.
Officer Danny Smith: "You feel bad for a little boy who was struck by a vehicle and a driver who decided to leave."
But the biggest gift of all is for the family, who thanks God their little boy is alive.
Rosh Lowe, 7News.
September 3, 2015, Coral Gables Museum
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S
Oath of Office
Andrew Luksa
Alejandro Fuentes.
Sergeant Promotions
Nestor Carbonell
Maurice Sikes
Joshua Nunez
John Carrasco
Lieutenant Promotions
H. Barnet
Klaus Reinoso
Oath of Office
Andrew Luksa
Alejandro Fuentes.
Sergeant Promotions
Nestor Carbonell
Maurice Sikes
Joshua Nunez
John Carrasco
Lieutenant Promotions
H. Barnet
Klaus Reinoso
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Arriving to Miami at the age of 7, via the Peter Pan project, Kattia A. Castellanos, mother of 5 and grandmother of 3 has dedicated more than 25 years to the Miami Dade County community both professionally and through volunteering to charitable causes. Kattia graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with a degree in psychology and continued her studies at the Miami Dade College School of Justice.
Focused on her mission of promoting world peace, she has been mentoring, inspiring, and empowering women by advocating for victims and raising awareness of the issues impacting families today. Facing her own life challenges as a young widow, with a family to support, after a short career in education, Kattia began working with youth at-risk in the early 1990’s, and ultimately went on to develop and currently manage the day to day operations of the Victim Witness Unit of the Coral Gables Police Department since 1998. Operating within the Criminal Investigations Division, she has assisted thousands of victims of violent crimes over the years by evaluating their needs and providing protective services, guidance, and assistance to restore their lives after a crime. Kattia is also a Self Esteem realization model facilitator.
In this capacity, she has received various recognitions such as the prestigious “Purple Heart” for outstanding direct services to crime victims, the Eric Santiesteban Professional of the Year Award, Justice for All, Coral Gables Police Department Employee Excellence and Exceptional Service Awards, Outstanding Latin Women, Rotary and Lyons Club Awards, among others.
Kattia provides organizational leadership and secures best practices in victim response by conducting mandated Florida Department of Law Enforcement training to officers and serving as the liaison between the Coral Gables Police Department and the community.
With her extensive knowledge and experience in the victim services field, she served as facilitator for the U.S. Department of State‘s Washington Office of Global Women’s issues on Gender Based Violence and Rule of Law. In addition, she serves on several local, state and national task forces, coalitions, committees and advisory boards evaluating system response to violence by providing recommendations for effective procedures and developing models for intervention. Among those are the Miami Dade County Fatality Review Team, Child Death Review team, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council of Greater Miami and the South Florida Human Trafficking Task Force.
“Hispanic women living in the U.S. have a dual role; to combine traditional Hispanic and American models to create a new identity. We have accomplished great things in government, politics and business without leaving behind our femininity and love of family and tradition”, stated Kattia. “We need to inspire a new generation of sisters, to create a peaceful world.”
Kattia serves as spokesperson for J.E.C.Y Foundation Teen Dating Violence Awareness, and organizes and chairs the local National Crime Victims’ Rights Committee Yearly Campaign. As a published professional, she has consulted in developing programs for other law enforcement agencies locally and internationally and has made multiple media appearances on issues impacting society today.
Kattia believes a strong community partnership and increased awareness can help eradicate violence in our Nation and create safer communities. With vision and determination, she has made a difference in our community by attentively and compassionately listening, advocating, protecting and serving as a voice to all those silenced by crime including the most vulnerable, the forgotten silent victims, our children.
Kattia will be celebrated as Hispanic Woman of Distinction on August 14, 2015 at a ceremony presented by Bank of America, Latina Style Magazine and Latin Business Today. More here.
Focused on her mission of promoting world peace, she has been mentoring, inspiring, and empowering women by advocating for victims and raising awareness of the issues impacting families today. Facing her own life challenges as a young widow, with a family to support, after a short career in education, Kattia began working with youth at-risk in the early 1990’s, and ultimately went on to develop and currently manage the day to day operations of the Victim Witness Unit of the Coral Gables Police Department since 1998. Operating within the Criminal Investigations Division, she has assisted thousands of victims of violent crimes over the years by evaluating their needs and providing protective services, guidance, and assistance to restore their lives after a crime. Kattia is also a Self Esteem realization model facilitator.
In this capacity, she has received various recognitions such as the prestigious “Purple Heart” for outstanding direct services to crime victims, the Eric Santiesteban Professional of the Year Award, Justice for All, Coral Gables Police Department Employee Excellence and Exceptional Service Awards, Outstanding Latin Women, Rotary and Lyons Club Awards, among others.
Kattia provides organizational leadership and secures best practices in victim response by conducting mandated Florida Department of Law Enforcement training to officers and serving as the liaison between the Coral Gables Police Department and the community.
With her extensive knowledge and experience in the victim services field, she served as facilitator for the U.S. Department of State‘s Washington Office of Global Women’s issues on Gender Based Violence and Rule of Law. In addition, she serves on several local, state and national task forces, coalitions, committees and advisory boards evaluating system response to violence by providing recommendations for effective procedures and developing models for intervention. Among those are the Miami Dade County Fatality Review Team, Child Death Review team, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council of Greater Miami and the South Florida Human Trafficking Task Force.
“Hispanic women living in the U.S. have a dual role; to combine traditional Hispanic and American models to create a new identity. We have accomplished great things in government, politics and business without leaving behind our femininity and love of family and tradition”, stated Kattia. “We need to inspire a new generation of sisters, to create a peaceful world.”
Kattia serves as spokesperson for J.E.C.Y Foundation Teen Dating Violence Awareness, and organizes and chairs the local National Crime Victims’ Rights Committee Yearly Campaign. As a published professional, she has consulted in developing programs for other law enforcement agencies locally and internationally and has made multiple media appearances on issues impacting society today.
Kattia believes a strong community partnership and increased awareness can help eradicate violence in our Nation and create safer communities. With vision and determination, she has made a difference in our community by attentively and compassionately listening, advocating, protecting and serving as a voice to all those silenced by crime including the most vulnerable, the forgotten silent victims, our children.
Kattia will be celebrated as Hispanic Woman of Distinction on August 14, 2015 at a ceremony presented by Bank of America, Latina Style Magazine and Latin Business Today. More here.
Motorcycle Unit Officers
We proudly announce the two newest Motorcycle Unit Officers, Jorge Rivas and Mike Valdes.
Officer Jorge Rivas, Chief Edward Hudak and Officer Mike Valdes
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Officer Jorge Rivas, Chief Edward Hudak and Officer Mike Valdes
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