GBPD honors employee, volunteer and officer of the year
FROM STAFF REPORTS Gulf Breeze News news@gulfbreezenews.com

Franklin Hayes/Gulf Breeze News From left: Steve Larcher, employee of the year, Don Shopmeyer, volunteer of the year and Chris Henderson, officer of the year, were recently honored by the Gulf Breeze Police Department.

The Gulf Breeze Police Department (GBPD) recently honored three of its own with annual awards. The department recently announced recipients for the employee, officer and volunteer of the year awards for 2007. Dispatcher Steve Larcher, Officer Chris Henderson and volunteer Donald Shopmeyer were all recognized for their achievements.

All three were nominated for their awards by their peers and a peer-based selection committee made the choice.

Larcher was selected for this honor for his tireless efforts as a dispatcher. Larcher utilizes his prior police experience to aid officers in any manner necessary to expedite the workload of the officer in need of help. He aided an officer following a lengthy case including processing many evidential items into evidence bags and computer reporting program windows. He expedited the processing of the evidence, the prisoner and entire caseload, saving the officer many hours of work. He has always been willing to help when he sees the opportunity to do so.

Larcher will receive a plaque and a citation. His name and photo will also be displayed in the police headquarters for the following year.

Officer Henderson was nominated by his peers for his outstanding performance during the year and for his dedication to the police department and to the community. He has developed an outstanding rapport with the citizens and youngsters in the community and has initiated several vital safety and public service activities. He surveyed the entire business community in the wake of recent hurricane seasons to update the data and contact file for our business community to facilitate contact with owners of damaged businesses in the future. He has maintained the appearance of the entire fleet of vehicles, boats and other equipment for the police department and has performed this task for over seven years.

Officer Henderson also successfully completed training in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design and has maintained his certification to perform this service to the community for several years. He is a former investigator for the Police Department and is a marine patrol officer. His performance has always been exemplary and he has served the City of Breeze well for many years.

He will receive a plaque, a citation and be given the recognition to place on his cruiser as well. His name and photo will also be displayed in the police headquarters for the following year.

Shopmeyer was nominated by his peers for his outstanding performance during the year and for his many hours of volunteer service to the City of Gulf Breeze. He has been with the Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) program for the City since its inception and has worked 3 shifts per week. He was awarded the President's Volunteer Service Award for his many hours of service for the past two years. This year Shopmeyer was instrumental in establishing the Seniors vs. Crime program in Gulf Breeze that assists citizens with civil problems attain resolution. The program is designed to provide assistance to residents that are victims of shoddy construction practices, incomplete projects, contract failures, land/tenant disputes and other civil problems. His efforts have recovered thousands of dollars for victims.

Shopmeyer has volunteered for every special event and activity since the VIPS program started. He picked up a FEMA trailer from Montgomery, Alabama; which saved a significant amount of delivery costs for the police department, assisted officers during Blue Angels air shows and appeared in the annual Gulf Breeze holiday parade. He has volunteered for every activity that has been available for the VIPS to perform. His performance has always been exemplary and he has served the City of Breeze well for several years.

He will also receive a plaque and a citation. His name and photo will also be displayed in the police headquarters for the following year.