Politics & Government
Clearwater Rotary Club Honor Police, Fire Personnel
The annual gathering highlights the best work of the police and fire department, both on and off the job.
CLEARWATER, FL — Three Clearwater Police Department personnel and one employee of the Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department were honored by the Rotary Club of Clearwater at an annual luncheon.
The annual gathering highlights the best work of the police and fire department — both on and off the job.
Those being honored were:
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Sgt. Dan Loder received the 2022 Joseph F. Cornelius Family Foundation Outstanding Police Officer of the Year Award. He was the lead detective in a murder case involving a 10-month-old baby where his meticulous work led to the mother being charged with the crime.
Officer Lauren Josey-Filer received the 2023 Rotary Public Safety and Service Award for the police department. She is a community engagement officer who is a vital link to the communities that make up the city of Clearwater.
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Samantha Sheaffer received the 2023 Telecommunicator of the Year Award. Her calm and compassionate demeanor was on display as she worked a lengthy call involving a suicidal man. On two different occasions, she convinced him to put the gun down.
Fire driver-operator Michael McKnight received the 2023 Rotary Public Safety and Service Award for the fire department. When he's not working calls for the fire department, he spends much of his time with the Countryside Little League, where he coaches and is on the board of directors.
