Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
Department of Detention and Corrections

Sheriff’s Advisory Board

Law Enforcement Award Recipient:
Corporal Stephen West
Age: 38
Hire Date: 02/02/07

Detention and Corrections Award Recipient:
Deputy Sean Carlson
Age: 48
Hire Date: 09/22/14

What:
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office presented one law enforcement deputy and one detention deputy with the “Deputy of the Quarter Bright Star Award” for going above and beyond in the performance of their duties.

When:
Deputies were honored at 8:00 a.m. on January 5, 2017 during a special presentation to coincide with the Sheriff’s Advisory Board breakfast.

Where:
The event was held at the Sheriff’s Administration Building located at 10750 Ulmerton Road in Largo.

Why/How:
In 2015 the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office with the support of the Sheriff’s Advisory Board established the Bright Star Award to regularly honor deputies who have gone above and beyond in the performance of their duties.

The award honors one law enforcement deputy and one detention deputy each quarter.

Recipients of the Deputy of the Quarter Bright Star Award were honored on January 5, 2017 during a Sheriff’s Advisory Board breakfast at the Sheriff’s Administration Building.

Sheriff Bob Gualtieri presented Corporal Stephen West and Deputy Sean Carlson with the distinction which included a plaque presentation. The two winners were selected by members of the Sheriff’s Advisory Board from several nominees throughout the agency.

Corporal West was honored for his compassion and willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty to help others. After responding to a report of two elderly women living in a home without electricity and being unable to obtain resources for them, Corporal West contacted the power company and paid their past-due balance to have their electricity restored.

Deputy Carlson was honored for his quick actions that saved a man’s life. While Deputy Carlson was off-duty enjoying a round of golf, he responded to a call for help and found a man on the ground not breathing and without a pulse. After utilizing a nearby Automated External Defibrillator (AED), administering CPR and assisting paramedics upon their arrival, the man was taken to the hospital breathing and with a pulse.

Nominations for the Bright Star Award can be submitted by employees of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office to recognize members for a single act or ongoing pattern of performance. The nominator details why the nominee should be considered and the Sheriff’s Advisory Board reviews and selects the winner.

The next Bright Star Award nominations submissions are due March 31, 2017.