SWAT Team
LIFESAVING AWARD
NPD SWAT TEAM
Roadside Rescue of Endangered Motorists
In November of 2008, several members of the Naples Police SWAT team were traveling to Orlando to compete in the SWAT Round-Up, a national competition involving SWAT teams from all over the country. While traveling in heavy rain on I-4 and SR 528, the team witnessed a vehicle ahead of them hydroplane, flip over and land in a ditch. the vehicle landed on its side and was taking on water quickly due to the rain.
The team immediately stopped and sprung into action, going down into the ditch, which already had close to 3 feet of watere in it, and pulling out a couple and their two grandchildren. Sheriff Kevin Beary, now retired, has stated “Four lives were saved by SWAT team members because of their professionalism and training. They put themselves at risk to save the lives of these four citizens.”
Sheriff Beary has forwarded the information to the current Orange County Sheriff, Jerry Deming, in hopes the Orange County Sheriff’s Office will also consider reviewing the incident for possible commendation by their agency.
The SWAT team members involved in this rescue includes;
Lt. Greg Gaffney
Sgt. John Barkley
Det. Seth Finman
Det. Randy Durniak
Det. L. David Monroig
Master Officer Rodney Dent
Ofc. Ian Rudnick
Ofc. Kyle Bennett
Ofc. Matthew Doyle
Thank goodness for “guardian angels”!