On Friday, January 13, 2011 the Fort Myers Police Department honored several officers at a monthly award ceremony. FMPD strives every day to not only protect and serve the residents of the City of Fort Myers, but to make it a better place to live. “It is our policy to recognize employees of exemplary performance of their duties” said Chief Baker. “We appreciate their heroics and the hard work that these men and women put in each day.”
Officer David Conticelli and Officer Andrew Lape were honored for their arrest of a metal theft suspect. The officers responded to the scene of a burglary in progress at an apartment complex. Upon arrival, Officer Conticelli observed the suspect who attempted to get away by running into the apartment. The suspect ran up the stairs and tried to hide in the attic space. But with no where to go the suspect then jumped out of a second story window where Officer Lape was located on the ground. The suspect was taken into custody without incident. Further investigation revealed the suspect was in the process of destroying the ceiling of the apartment to expose copper water pipes. While there was extensive damage to the drywall the suspect had not yet cut the pipes. The officers interrupted the crime and prevented further damage to the property.
Officer Kelly Witt and Officer Ivan Moorer were honored for their compassion and professionalism during a recent encounter with a citizen down on his luck. In fact the citizen personally asked that the officers be recognized for their service. On December 21, 2011 Officer Witt and Officer Moorer came in contact with the young man who was homeless. The man had found himself stranded in Fort Myers and he was unfamiliar with his surroundings and feared for his safety. He said the officers treated him with the utmost dignity and respect during their encounter. He stated that the officers in his opinion went well out of their way to assist him in finding safe shelter for the night and provided him transportation to the location. The following day he was able to get a bus ticket home. The young man said he would be forever grateful to the officers and their treatment of him during his time of crisis.
Officer Ashley Schindler and Officer Russell Southwick were honored for their outstanding performance with their daily responsibilities in the Community Offender Probation and Education Unit. Recently the officers assisted State Probation officers in the search of a residence of a violent felony offender who is currently on three years of probation for numerous firearm offenses. During the search, probation officers located 15 knives, six rounds of 9mm ammunition, five live 12 gauge Remington rifled slugs and one baggie of cocaine. The officers violated the offender’s probation and he is currently being held in jail with no bond.
Shelly Flynn
Public Information Officer
239-321-7721