Sheriff's Office Volunteers Recognized for Service

Time is money. And the time given by sheriff's office volunteers is worth more than a cool million.

To thank them for their service, top volunteers were honored at a recent 2012 Annual Pasco Sheriff’s Office Volunteers in Police Service recognition luncheon.

“The amount of time our volunteers work in the community makes Pasco County a safer place to live,” Sheriff Chris Nocco said in a press release. “Not only do they help our deputies and detectives with day-to-day tasks, but they also add valuable eyes and ears to the community.  They certainly make us a stronger agency.

In 2011, the VIPS members volunteered a record 72,503 hours of community service, an increase of 12,096 hours from last year, the press release stated.  That translates to a contribution valued at more than $1.5 million if they were paid for the time they donated.  Currently, the VIPS unit is made up of more than 325 active volunteers.

The VIPS unit was inspired by President George W. Bush, who in 2002 challenged all Americans to make time to help their neighbors, communities and nation through volunteer service. It was that effort that led to the PSO Citizen Service Unit, according to the press release.

The first class of volunteers hit the streets in 2004.

The Presidential Lifetime, Call to Service Award is given to volunteers who have massed 4,000 or more hours of community service. The award is also the highest award given by the White House for volunteer service. Warren Sheridan and Joseph Seidel were recognized for their volunteer efforts with this award at the banquet. 

Other top volunteer of the year award recipients included:

Uniformed Operations Volunteer of the Year Bob Warms: Bob has been a volunteer with the agency since 2004.  He has been a devoted and tireless individual who works the information desk at the West Pasco Judicial Center three to four days per week.  He is also a trainer for the front desk volunteer staff.  He often goes the extra mile to track down docket information that allows volunteers to help citizens find their specific courtrooms.

Support Services Volunteer of the Year Warren Sheridan:  Warren started as a volunteer for the Pasco Sheriff’s Office in 2002.  He assisted the School Resource Officers and Sex Offender units until the units moved to Land O’Lakes.  Warren then went on to volunteer in the PSO Sex Offender Unit.  Warren has worked with Property Crimes and, in 2011, he started volunteering in Major Crimes to help with a Cold Case Unit. 

Volunteer Corps Volunteer of the Year Margo Brandon: Margo has been a volunteer with the agency since 2008.  Since that time, she has volunteered thousands of hours. She has volunteered in many areas of the agency to include: Safety Town, data entry, Sheriff’s Citizen Academy, Sheriff’s Golf Tournament, Sheriff’s Charities Ride, Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, Christmas Food Drive, Domestic Violence Vigil, McGruff and fingerprinting. 

Field Training Officer of the Year Brad Routson: Brad has been a volunteer with the Citizen Services Unit since 2008 and was selected to be a Field Training Officer two years ago.  He teaches his trainees about the importance of LTD or location, tag and description.  He is very thorough when completing his daily observation reports which can give the PSO valuable information in the event of an investigation.  His leadership helps others learn about these areas to provide excellent service to the public.  

Community Service Awards Volunteer of the Year Walt Dyndur: Walt is being recognized with this award that is presented to the individual with the most volunteer hours in a calendar year.  Dyndur worked 1,574 hours in 2011. 

For more information about becoming a volunteer with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, visit the PSO website.