On Friday, January 11, 2013 the Fort Myers Police Department honored several employees at a monthly award ceremony. FMPD strives every day to not only protect and serve the residents of the City ofFort 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 Robert Kerbs was honored for his actions that assisted in the arrests of two men suspected in a sexual assault. Recently, Officer Kerbs responded to a DUI hit and run crash. Officer Kerbs had the driver responsible for the crash in custody when he became aware of another call for service in which a female had been sexually assaulted. One of the suspects was detained at the scene but a second suspect was gone upon police arrival. The female victim provided a detailed description of the suspect. During his traffic crash investigation, Officer Kerbs noticed the driver he arrested was wearing the same clothing as described by the sexual assault victim. Officer Kerbs contacted the officers working the assault and the victim confirmed the identity of the suspect. Officer Kerbs was commended for his work performance, attention to detail and for bringing closure to the female victim.
Officer Erin Campbellwas honored for his outstanding performance on a residential burglary investigation. Recently, Officer Campbell was working a daytime burglary suppression operation when he conducted a traffic stop. The driver was in possession of two televisions and couldn’t give Officer Campbell a valid reason for having them. The suspect was extremely nervous and had what appeared to be drywall or paint on both of his arms. Officer Campbell believed the suspect had stolen the televisions but there wasn’t enough evidence to make an arrest. The suspect voluntarily turned the televisions over to Officer Campbell and he was released from the traffic stop. A short time later a residential burglary was reported in which two televisions had been stolen. Police made contact with the victim who had paperwork identifying the televisions as their property. Officer Campbell immediately located the suspect and arrested him for Burglary of an Unoccupied Dwelling and Grand Theft. Officer Campbell was commended for his investigative skills and determination to remove a criminal from City streets.
Officers Jesus Ramos, Luke Faulkner, Ed Quinn, Mike Kloack and Kelly Witt were honored for their resourcefulness in apprehending a grand theft auto suspect. The Violent Crimes Task Force officers had continually gone to an address in the City attempting to locate the car thief. The homeowner would always initially deny officers entry to the residence and then a short time later give them consent to search. But the suspect was never there. While considering how the suspect was eluding arrest, the officers came up with a plan. They met with maintenance personnel who provided officers with a key to an apartment near the suspect’s apartment. The task force then sent other officers to the suspect’s address and again asked for consent to search. A short time later, they observed the suspect exiting a third floor window and walking across the roof, which could not be seen from the parking area. The Task Force quickly took the suspect into custody without incident. The officers were commended for their hard work and innovative thinking in removing a criminal from City streets.
Shelly Flynn Public Information Officer 239-321-7721