The TECO Expo Hall at the Florida Strawberry Festival was the safest place in town the evening of Tuesday, May 13 as hundreds of law enforcement officers from the Plant City Police Department (PCPD), Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) gathered for the 63rd Annual East Hillsborough Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner.
Hosted by the East Hillsborough Law Enforcement Appreciation Association (EHLEAA), the event pays homage to the men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line every day and to recognize the Officer of the Year in each department. It was emceed by EHLEAA Chairman Bill McDaniel, who welcomed the record crowd of more than 500 people and thanked the generous sponsors who made the evening possible.
He pointed to the rows of emergency response vehicles that flanked the stage that provided lifesaving services during Hurricane Milton and recognized the brave men and women in uniform who used them to assist the community through one of the most challenging natural disasters seen by Floridians in decades. “Hurricane Milton was very serious business to communities throughout the State of Florida, Hillsborough County and Plant City,” said McDaniel. “Our law enforcement agencies and officers were prepared and were unshrinking in their duties to serve and protect our communities, our homes, our businesses and our lives.”
Honorees received a commemorative plaque, a financial award of $500, Sig Sauer P365 XMACRO handgun and a bouquet of flowers for their significant others.
PCPD Detective James Cowart was named PCPD Officer of the Year. Cowart, a Plant City native and detective in the Criminal Investigations Division, was instrumental in spearheading the planning, implementation and execution of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) throughout Plant City. He demonstrated how ALPR readers can provide law enforcement with real-time investigative leads.
Throughout 2024, he worked many investigations involving firearms, robberies and crimes against persons. Notably, he was instrumental in an arrest in the November armed robbery of Sally Beauty Supply on W. Alexander Street, where a suspect entered the business, brandished a firearm and stole several hundred dollars from the cash register before fleeing in a pickup truck. After hours of analyzing surveillance video from neighboring businesses, Cowart created a bulletin that was distributed to surrounding law enforcement agencies. Returning to the scene, he also discovered additional surveillance video, which confirmed the suspect had arrived in the plaza driving a green pickup truck. Thanks to these sources, he pieced together the suspect’s movements. He was then contacted by an agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), who had reviewed the bulletin and suspected that the same individual was responsible for multiple robberies across the Tampa Bay Area. Cowart relentlessly continued the investigation, utilizing data from the newly implemented ALPR system to confirm the suspect’s whereabouts prior to the robbery. Upon discovering the vehicle owner matched the description of the suspect seen in the surveillance footage from Sally Beauty Supply, a swift resolution of the case was sought by PCPD and ATF agents. Ultimately, the suspect was federally indicted by the ATF for a series of robberies throughout the Tampa Bay Area.
PCPD Police Chief Richard Mills presented the award and spoke highly of his contribution to the department. “He represents the very best of what it means to wear the badge,” said Mills. “His love for his community makes him more than an officer of the year. He is our hometown hero.”
Cowart was humbled to be recognized for protecting a community he loves. “I do it for the city I grew up in,” he said.
Mills also recognized two recently retired officers: Officer Clemente Fiol and Lieutenant William Lee.
Mills also pointed to the rescue vehicles and thanked the other agencies for their willingness to stand in harm’s way to ensure people are safe. “The work we do matters, and these vehicles represent four agencies that came together in our greatest time of need last year,” he said. “One hundred and twenty-six Plant City residents were rescued, lives saved and families preserved all thanks to the selfless actions of men and women of the four agencies represented tonight.”
Additional recipients of their respective department’s Officer of the Year awards included:
FHP: Sergeant Jeffrey Cantwell
HCSO: Deputy Niomi Bruce
FWC: Officer Taylor Bothe
McDaniel also recognized the passing of Ray Young, Carl Davis and Wiley Gillespie, one of the founders of EHLEAA, who attended every East Hillsborough Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner. “He would be with us this year, but God called him home,” said McDaniel, who bestowed Wiley’s nameplate and director’s ribbon to his son and current board member, Larry.
In his final remarks, McDaniel motioned to a large plaque adorned with the names of all the Officers of the Year, from the first appreciation dinner in 1962 until this year. There’s not an empty space on the plaque, so it is being retired this year.
Next year, a new plaque will hold the names of next year’s Officers of the Year, with space for awardees for the next 63 years.