Once again, local law enforcement were honored during the annual East Hillsborough Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner.
This is the 59th year the event, which honors Plant City Police Department, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol and Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, has been held. The individual departments traditionally use the time to honor their Officers of the Year. The event began in 1962 as a way to honor the late Sgt. Ben Wilder, an HCSO officer who was shot and killed on duty while responding to an arrest warrant at a home located southeast of Plant City. Its motto, “Founded in tragedy, continued in honor,” sets the theme for the event each year.
“In Plant City and greater East Hillsborough County, we support our law enforcement officers,” City Manager Bill McDaniel said. “We recognize them for their service, we respect their commitment to our community and we honor their sacrifices.”
PCPD named Detective Erick Sanchez as its Officer of the Year. Sanchez started with PCPD in 2011 and served as a patrol officer. He later served as a detective and is also a SWAT operator. Sanchez was called to assist in a case where an individual was wanted for an attempted murder charge in Plant City. When they fled PCPD’s jurisdiction, Sanchez’s knowledge of the offender allowed him to work with the U.S. Marshals Service and a network of sources to track the suspect from Florida to Louisiana and then to California. The individual was eventually taken into custody.
“Detective Sanchez has been a valuable asset to his fellow Plant City Police Department officers and detectives as well,” PCPD said. “Detective Sanchez has utilized technical training to assist PCPD members download cellular devices and taking the information and providing analysis of the results. This assistance has led to the development of numerous leads that ultimately culminated in the arrest of those suspected of those crimes.”
HCSO selected Deputy Timothy Miskell as its Deputy of the Year. Miskell was sworn in with HCSO in 2015 after serving in the United States Marine Corps for six years. He has served in District V as a patrol deputy on the eastern side of the county. He then served as a member of District V’s Street Crimes Unit. During December 2020, Miskell was attempting to arrest a wanted felon who fled in a vehicle and crashed into a citizen, disabling both cars and injuring the citizen.
Miskell ran to the suspect’s vehicle and the suspect repeatedly told him he was armed. HCSO said he refused to show his hands and told the crowd that “while attempting to peacefully resolve the standoff with the barricaded suspect, the suspect ultimately decided how this armed encounter would end and reached for his waistband. Because of the suspect’s actions Deputy Miskell feared for his life, along with the lives of his fellow deputies. To protect himself from the imminent threat posed by the suspect, deadly force was required.”
HCSO called Miskell a hero and said that his response to the incident “demonstrates his bravery and commitment to serving and protecting others.”
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission honored Officer Malachi Wilkins. According to FWC, Wilkins quickly made a name for himself in Hillsborough County upon transferring in 2017 due to his work in arresting impaired boat operators. FWC said “Malachi’s dedication to BUI enforcement has resulted in dozens of BUI-related arrests and he was honored as a member of the ‘Mothers Against Drunk Driving Team of the Year.’ His dedication to removing impaired operators from our waterways inspired him to become a certified Drug Recognition Expert as well. Malachi truly has a passion for keeping our Hillsborough County waterways safe.”
Wilkins is also heavily involved in protecting Florida’s artifacts within the county and has spent “countless hours working public and private lands” targeting the illegal poaching of cultural resources. According to FWC, Wilkins’ efforts have led to several felony arrests. One example shared to the crowd was when Wilkins was notified by a landowner near Lake Thonotosassa that an individual was poaching arrowheads from his property. He then spearheaded a six-month investigation. The suspect was arrested and charged $16,000 in restoration costs. Another incident led to the arrest of an individual who was charged $23,000 in restoration costs and $700 worth of arrowheads were seized.
FWC said he is always the first to step up and provide assistance whenever it is needed.
Florida Highway Patrol’s Trooper of the Year is Master Trooper Ronald A. Drake. Drake began his career with FHP in 1997 and has been “a significant influence with troopers not just in the Tampa District, but statewide.” FHP said Drake is a highly productive member of the patrol and considered an informal leader.
“Master Trooper Drake is a member of the Mobile Field Force Unit, which has been deployed to various natural disasters, presidential conventions, gubernatorial inaugurations and civil unrest events,” FHP said. “Master Trooper Drake is also a member of the Statewide Honor Guard, which has participated in national competitions.”
Drake was recognized for several actions, which include the “apprehension of several high-level criminals operating an organized fraud scheme, that resulted out of a traffic stop.” He also aided in the apprehension of an elusive manslaughter suspect who had been evading arrest.
Johnson Barbeque catered the dinner and after the ceremony prizes were distributed to those in attendance. Many lingered following the end of the event to socialize and get photos before heading out for the evening. McDaniel promised next year’s event would be one to remember as it will be the 60th anniversary.