SHERIFF'S STAR 3 SHERIFF'S STAR 3
CONTENTS
5 FSA Executive Director's Perspective
6 25 Years Later: Florida's 9/11 Response
10 Strength in Unity: Sheri•s 2026 Summer Conference
15 Florida Sheri•s Association Announces New Leadership
for 2026-2027
21 Annual Partner Highlight
22 Detective's Relentless Pursuit of Justice
Brings Victims to Safety
24 Victim Advocate's Compassion Helps
Domestic Violence Survivor Find Safety
27 FSA Awards and Recognition
28 New Lifetime Members
29 FSYR Honor Roll
30 Employee Spotlight
ON THE COVER
Miami-Dade Sheri's Oce
Honor Guard presents colors at
the FSA Sheris 2026 Summer
Conference.
SHERIFF'S STAR
Volume 70, Issue 3, 2026
Published since 1929 by the
Florida Sheris Association
(founded in 1893)
Publisher: Matt Dunagan, Executive Director
Editor: Logan Lewkow
Editorial Services: Fiore Communications
Graphic Design: Pomegranate Studio
In memory of Carl Stauer,
a founder of the Sheri's Star and
Honorary Membership Program.
Graphic Design Emeritus: Frank J. Jones
For more than 50 years of dedication
to the Sheri's Star.
Published August 24, 2026
Copyright 2026 by
Florida Sheris Association
The Sheriff's Star (ISSN 0488-6186) (USPS 493-
980) is published quarterly by the Florida Sheriffs
Association, a nonprofit corporation, located at
2617 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32308-5448. A
subscription is included with annual membership.
Periodicals postage paid at Tallahassee, Florida
and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER:
Send address changes to the Sheriff's Star,
2617 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32308-5448.
Email: editor@flsheriffs.org
Website: flsheriffs.org
Phone: (800) 877-2168
Local: (850) 877-2165
The Florida Sheriffs Association does not
telemarket for donations.
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL
INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION
OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE
(800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE OR VISITING
WWW.FDACS.GOV. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY
ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION
BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION NUMBER: CH915.
