A Night of Recognition
On Tuesday evening, local law enforcement agencies gathered at the Manatee Performing Arts Center for a special occasion: Congressman Vern Buchanan’s annual Congressional Law Enforcement Awards. This important event honored over 50 officers and units from throughout Florida’s 16th Congressional District, recognizing their outstanding service, bravery, and dedication to public safety.
Now in its 15th year, the awards ceremony was created by Congressman Buchanan to formally acknowledge the exceptional work of our first responders. An independent panel of current and retired law enforcement personnel selected recipients across multiple categories, and each award is officially entered into the Congressional Record, preserving their achievements in our nation’s history.
Among the honorees were 36 members of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and 16 current and former officers from the Bradenton Police Department (BPD). Their efforts spanned heroic actions in the field, long-standing service to the community, and innovative approaches to crime prevention.
Notable Awards Included:
Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award: Recognizing those who went to extraordinary lengths in service, including several MCSO deputies and an officer from Holmes Beach PD.
Preservation of Life Award: Honoring deputies who took swift and life-saving action during critical incidents.
Dedication and Professionalism Award: Highlighting leaders who embody integrity and excellence in their daily work.
Unit Citation Award: Presented to high-performing teams such as the Bradenton Police Crime Reduction Team, Elder Fraud Unit, the MCSO Homicide Unit, and MCSO’s Resource Assistance Program (RAP Unit) for their coordinated success in protecting our communities.
Gary Tibbetts Career Service Award: Given to retiring leaders including Chief Melanie Bevan, Sergeant Michael Kriebel, and Captain Araseli Stanley, whose decades of service have left a lasting legacy.
A Community of Support
Congressman Buchanan praised the recipients, stating:
“Every day, these brave men and women put their lives on the line to enforce the rule of law and keep our communities safe. These awards are a fitting tribute to their dedication, courage and the heroic role they play in our communities.”
The event also drew support from local elected officials, including Mayor Gene Brown and members of the Bradenton City Council, who were in attendance to show their appreciation for law enforcement.
A Lasting Impact
We at the Manatee Hundred Club applaud all of this year’s honorees and extend our sincere gratitude to Congressman Buchanan for his unwavering support of law enforcement. Events like these reinforce the strength of our local partnerships and remind us of the courageous men and women working each day to protect and serve.
Congratulations to all recipients. Your efforts are seen, honored, and appreciated—not just by your departments, but by the entire community.
Here is a list of awards from the evening.
Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award:
- ATF: Special Agent Matthew Murray
- Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office: Deputy John Howes III
- Holmes Beach Police Department: Officer Chris Bennett
- Manatee County Sheriff’s Office: Deputy Leonel Barboza, Deputy Stephen Cook, Deputy Michael Davis, Deputy Jackson Dugmore, Deputy Robert Pereyra Jr., and Detective Randall Walker
Dedication and Professionalism Award:
- Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office: Master Deputy Jeffery Merry
- Manatee County Sheriff’s Office: Captain Mark Morie
- Palmetto Police Department: Corporal Quinn Moriarty
Gary Tibbetts Career Service Award:
- Bradenton Police Department: Chief Melanie Bevan and Sergeant Michael Kriebel
- Manatee County Sheriff’s Office: Captain Araseli Stanley
Preservation of Life Award:
- Manatee County Sheriff’s Office: Deputy Judd Beckwith, Deputy Lashonda Bowden, Deputy Colin Caldwell, Deputy Brian Fullbright, Deputy Adrian Harrison, Deputy Micah Osornio, Deputy Erika Perez-Ramos, Deputy Luis Rivera-Lopez, Deputy James Workman, and Deputy Javier Zuniga-Mejia
Unit Citation Award:
- Bradenton Police Department Crime Reduction Team: Sergeant Todd Freed, K-9 Officer Michael Wall, Officer Steven Bembry, Officer Jordan Miller, Officer Aaron Smith, Officer Connor Horsley, Acting Sergeant Jeff Beckley, K-9 Officer Nicolas Leeman, Officer Enzo Rovira, Officer Brett Heagney-Sciamatore, Officer Marisol Valente, and Officer Maddie Johnson
- Bradenton Police Department Elder Fraud Unit: Detective James Curulla and Officer Deana McNeal
- Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Homicide Unit: Major Anthony Williams, Captain Darin Bankert, Sergeant Salvatore Levita, Detective Charles Butler, Detective Darryl Davis, Detective Mark Pearson, Detective Garrick Plonczynski, Detective Michael Smith, Detective Justin Warren and Sergeant Jeremy Liddell
- Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Resource Assistance Program (RAP Unit)
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