FLORIDA SHERIFF'S ASSOCIATION

22 SHERIFF'S STAR | VOLUME 70 | ISSUE 3 DETECTIVE'S RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF JUSTICE BRINGS VICTIMS TO SAFETY When a little girl disappeared after a triple homicide in Broward County, every passing minute mattered. Investigators knew the suspect had already taken three lives, and no one knew where he or the child would go next. Detective Robert Pence immediately joined the search, helping coordinate the investigation that led to the child's safe rescue and the suspect's arrest. As information poured in, he immediately began coordinating and following leads as detectives worked to locate the child before the suspect could flee. Working alongside fellow investigators and the agency's SWAT team, Pence helped locate the suspect's vehicle, leading to the safe rescue of the abducted child and the suspect's arrest. That investigation was one of several major cases Pence helped solve during an extraordinary year. Months later, three escaped inmates, including a violent o-ender serving a life sentence, had fled from a Georgia jail, carjacked a rideshare driver, and taken a hostage before making their way to South Florida. After locating the suspects' vehicle, Pence made a split-second decision to stop it before they could flee again. He pursued one of the escaping suspects on foot, took him into custody, and helped bring the incident to a safe conclusion while the hostage was rescued. Detective Pence's unwavering commitment to protecting others earned him the 2026 Florida Sheris Association Law Enforcement O•Officer of the Year Award, recognizing exemplary service, bravery, and honor in the line of duty. Florida Sheri-s Association 2025-2026 President and Seminole County Sheri- Dennis Lemma said Pence's work throughout the year reflected the very best of Florida law enforcement. "Time and again this past year, Detective Pence stepped up to solve some of Broward County's most dangerous and complex situations," Lemma said. "That kind of dedication does not come from a job description. It comes from a deep personal commitment to service. Detective Pence exemplifies the courage and professionalism that make Florida's law enforcement officers among the finest in the nation." From helping rescue a kidnapped child to apprehending escaped inmates, Pence consistently stepped forward when the stakes were highest. His work throughout 2025 strengthened public safety across Broward County while reflecting the courage and commitment to service recognized by the Florida Sheri-s Association's Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award. Detective Robert Pence Broward Sheri's Office 2026 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year "Detective Pence is somebody you can always rely on. He's the person you can always go to if you need anything, and he never hesitates to help. He always finds his man, and he's incredibly passionate about his work." LT. MIKE WAGENER OF THE BROWARD SHERIFF'S OFFICE" SPONSORED BY FIRSTNET built with AT&T

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