I.U.P.A. Local Sarasota County School Police Association, #6046 and I.U.P.A. Local Sarasota County School Sergeant Association, #6047 members were recognized by the I.U.P.A. and by Sarasota County Schools Police Department for their lifesaving actions.
At the awards ceremony, I.U.P.A. President Sam A. Cabral presented them with certificates and letters for the following actions, stating, “I am honored to present these brave officers with our letters and certificates of commendation and appreciation. They make us all proud and appreciative of the highest traditions of this noble profession. I am humbled and proud to represent them.”
On October 4, 2023 at 10:00 A.M., Officer David Singer received information that a student was carrying a gun at Woodland Middle School. He began an immediate investigation and determined that a 13-year-old girl was the one with the gun. He located the student, detained and disarmed her. The gun was a loaded 9mm autoloader.
Investigation revealed that she had planned to shoot her mathematics teacher and another student. It further revealed that the gun had been taken from an unsecured area in her mother’s bedroom in North Port. Follow up investigation determined that the gun was previously reported stolen from Alabama. The North Port Police Department handled that aspect of the investigation.
Officer Singer’s actions undoubtedly saved at least two lives that day and provided clear testimony for the necessity of the presence of law enforcement officers in our schools, protecting our most precious resources, our children, our future.
On April 30, 2024, Officer Andre Jenkins, a School Resource Officer, was on duty at the Booker Middle School in Sarasota, Florida, when he received information that there may be a firearm on campus. Sergeant Todd Perna was called by SRO Jenkins and responded to assist in the investigation.
On arrival, Officer Jenkins and Sergeant Perna learned the names of the students possibly involved. Officer Jenkins started his investigation and proceeded to the gym. For over four hours Officer Jenkins and Sergeant Perna, with the assistance of staff, searched the campus for the gun. Subsequent investigation revealed that prior to law enforcement’s involvement, the suspects were passing the handgun to each other in efforts to conceal the weapon from school administration.
These students were located, detained, and separated. One of the students who was being called in for an interview entered the Principal’s Office and Sgt. Perna immediately noticed that when he was walking, he didn’t swing or move his left arm from his side. The student turned numerous times while being questioned by the principal but never moved his left arm from his side. He appeared to tuck his left elbow into his waist area.
Sergeant Perna’s experience and training led him to believe the student was carrying a weapon. At that time, Officer Jenkins was called to the office for assistance. Sergeant Perna conducted a pat down search of the student and discovered a fully loaded, autoloading pistol in the student’s waistband, Officer Jose Castellanos was requested to assist in the detention and handcuffing of the student.
Officer Jenkins and Sergeant Perna’s investigation also led to the arrest of the three additional students who had passed the handgun to each other in efforts to conceal the weapon. The investigation into the circumstances and origin of the weapon are on-going.
Officer Jenkins’s tireless efforts to obtain information and search for the weapon along with Sergeant Perna’s due diligence in identifying furtive movements and disarming of the student undoubtedly saved lives that day.
The officers involved in this complex and lifesaving investigation are to be commended for their diligence and perseverance. Their dedication, commitment to duty and due diligence serve as an example of the importance of our law enforcement community and their relationship with our schools in keeping our children safe.
The I.U.P.A. and LEORF Hero Spotlight shines a light on LEOs whose heroism, quick thinking, and dedication are examples to those in our profession and remind us all why we put on the uniform every day. If you would like to submit an LEO for consideration for a Hero Spotlight, email [email protected].
