Who: 

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
- Department of Detention and Corrections Bureau

Sheriff's Advisory Board

Law Enforcement Award Recipient:
Corporal Jeff Capra
Age: 50
Hire Date: 12/01/1996

Detention and Corrections Award Recipient:
Deputy Antuan Watkins
Age: 35
Hire Date: 07/09/2002

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. The award was established with the support of the Sheriff's Advisory Board and in partnership with Bright House Networks.

When:
Deputies were honored at 8:00 a.m. on May 5, 2016, during a special presentation to coincide with the Sheriff's Advisory Board breakfast.

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

Why/How:
Last year the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office partnered with Bright House and 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 May 5, 2016, during a Sheriff's Advisory Board breakfast at the Sheriff's Administration Building.

Assistant Chief Deputy George Steffen presented Deputy Antuan Watkins and Corporal Jeff Capra with the distinction, which included a plaque presentation. Additionally, the recipients received certificates for three months of free cable, phone, and high-speed internet services courtesy of Bright House Networks. The two winners were selected by members of the Sheriff's Advisory Board from several nominees throughout the agency.

Deputy Watkins was honored for his quick actions that possibly saved a young man's life. While Deputy Watkins was off duty jogging he encountered a young man who had climbed on top of an overpass and shared that he was depressed about the passing of his grandmother while he was in prison and had recently become homeless. Deputy Watkins engaged the man in conversation, called 9-1-1 and his actions prevented him from bringing serious harm to himself and possibly saved the life of the young man.

Corporal Capra was honored for his investigative skills and diligent work while investigating a robbery that occurred in March at a local bank. His investigation led to the identification and arrest of the robbery suspect. Thanks to his hard work and dedication, the case was brought to a successful and expeditious conclusion.

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 an 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 nomination submissions are due by June 30, 2016.

Photographs from the awards presentation are attached.