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Okaloosa County law enforcement officers create suicide awareness video

A Fort Walton Beach police officer and Okaloosa County Sheriff's Deputy worked together to create a law enforcement mental health awareness video.

Northwest Florida Daily News

SHALIMAR Several Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office employees were recognized for their contributions to the community during the agencys annual awards ceremony Friday.

Among the 10 employees recognized was Eric Swain, who was named Deputy of the Year for his significant positive presence, impact and influence on his teammates and the residents.

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A number of other accolades recognized communications employees referred to as the unsung heroes of law enforcement and those who supported OCSO Deputy Michael Neau and his family during his illness and after he passed away Sept. 5, 2021.

Each recipient is nominated by their supervisors who review their merits and achievements over the year, said Sheriff Eric Aden. A committee then decides who will be selected for each award.

Everyone at this agency deserves accolades for what they do on a day-to-day basis, said Aden, who added that it can be a tough decision. Were confident in the people who were selected this year, and Im glad for each and every one of them."

The committee considers the number of arrests, number of drugs and weapons taken off the street, and the violent crime stopped when selecting the Deputy of the Year. Many of Swains peers and supervisors nominated him for the award.

Swain said he grew up watching shows like "Law & Order" and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation." It was always a career he was interested in pursuing. And when he moved to Florida in 2014, he seized the opportunity to make his childhood dreams a reality.

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The OCSOhired Swain in 2016, and he quickly became well-known as a solid officer and a significant resource for his supervisors and teammates," according to others at the Sheriff's Office.

As a field training officer, Swain spent more than 1,680 hours training 10 newly hired employees last year while also juggling his own casework.

He made 41 arrests and generated 88 offense reports outlining his investigations. His efforts paid off when he was promoted to investigator earlier this month.

One example of his work noted by his supervisors was his ability to identify a suspect in a number of burglaries at a local business. They also noted his constant proactive attitude, knowledge and willingness to put the shift first.

Others commented on how he is highly respected and sought out by his peers and supervisors. Some referred to him as a gentle giant someone they'd want at the scenewith them as back-up.

Deputy Swain adapts quickly when situations arise and bringsthe best out of others, his supervisors wrote in the nomination. Outside the agency, Deputy Swain is also a committed leader in the local community coaching a local T-ball team.

Swain attributed much of his success to his supervisors, who he said have taken him under their wing and helped him build on his interests and skills. Swain said he is humbled to be among those who have been selected as Deputy of the Year.

The individuals who have received that award before, theyre put on a pedestal. And to see my name with them is very humbling, he said. We come out here and we want to do a good job. All we care about is being able to say that we did a good job at the end of the day.

Three out of 10 award recipients were communications employees, which was unique to 2021. Aden said the awards are a testament to the accomplishments of the communication division last year.

Theyre the unsung heroes. People oftentimes dont see them and they dont get the luxury of seeing the outcome of the case, hesaid. Wherein they are still having to deal with the stress and PTSD all of it. Trying to give us accurate information and dispersing that,they are the engine and were the body of the car.

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Jade Prokop joined the OCSO in 2017 and was selected as the Communications Officer of the Year for her quality of work, can-do attitude, and tenacity."

Her supervisors noted her ability to cross-train on every facet of dispatching, including law enforcement, fire and EMS, and called Prokop invaluable to our operations.

Administrative Employee of the YearChristine Cooperand Supervisor of the YearRyan Duvalalso were recognized for their impact on the communications division.

Investigator Mike Hogan, who joined the Sheriffs Office in 2016 after a long career with the Fort Walton Beach Police Department, was selected as Investigator of Year, with his supervisors calling him one of the most experienced investigators on staff.

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After countless hours spent investigating a cold case homicide from 2005, Hogan applied for and was granted four arrest warrants. The final two of four suspects were arrested in October2021 for the fatal shooting, which was believed to be the result of a drug-related home invasion robbery attempt.

Deputy Tori Mason was recognized as School Resource Officer of the Year. Among her many accomplishments in 2021, Mason was able to crack a case at Niceville High School where students were stealing school property as a part of a TikTok challenge.

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She also was a friendly face to many students. Her presence and efforts to play a role in her students lives made an impact last year when she was able to prevent a student from taking his own life.

Many of those who offered support after the Sheriff's Office experienced a tragedylast year also were recognized for their actions.

Chaplain Tim Sheldon, who was named Outstanding Volunteer of the Year, spent more than 275 volunteer hoursperforming hospital visits, shift briefings, and planning and conducting funerals.

Much of his time also was devoted to Deputy Michael Neaus family after he became sick. Sheldon spent many hours running errands so the family could visit Neau in the hospital, and his assistance was "pivotal in funeral planning," according to the OCSO.

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Heather Rominger, a longtime court transport deputy, also became a source of support for the Neau family. Rominger was selected as Administration Bureau Sworn Outstanding Performer of the Year. She was nominated for caring deeply for her peers.

Rominger raised funds for the Neau family and volunteered to help collectdata needed to show Neau contracted his illness while serving in his official capacity.

His family became eligible for proper entitlements after Rominger helped prove it was a line-of-duty death. Neaus wife asked to add a few words about the impact of Romingers support in her nomination, which was read aloud at the awards ceremony.

She checked on me and the girls and helped with everything we needed, she wrote. I couldnt have gotten through, especially the first month, without her by my side. Heather is family now. The girls love her. I love her. And she has been the best thing for us.

Aden said the year was challengingfor the Sheriffs Office amid the impacts of COVID-19 and after losing one of their own. But the agency continued to function and keep the public safe with the efforts of those who were recognized and many others at the Sheriffs Office.

I want to thank our public. I want to thank our community leaders, our municipality leaders that we work with on a daily basis, Aden said. If it wasnt for the support that we get from those entities we would not continue to be successful. We are a product of the professional service that we provide, but we certainly get the support back from all of those entities.

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Meet the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office Deputy of the Year Eric Swain - The Northwest Florida Daily News