Sumter County Sheriff William O. ‘Bill’ Farmer presented certificates to nearly 50 Villages residents Wednesday afternoon at the Eisenhower Regional Recreation Center and thanked them for their eight weeks’ participation in the Sumter County Citizen’s Academy.
Leonard Krasucki, who recently downsized to the Mariana Villas in the Village of Collier, learned a lot of new things at the Sheriff’s Academy sessions. “It was all done very professionally. I’ve always had great respect for law enforcement, the fire department and the military — and that respect has escalated by learning about the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. They branch out into many areas and we feel secure having them in charge. This was a very worthwhile use of my time, and I would encourage anyone and everyone to do this. My wife read about it in the online newspaper, and I’m glad she encouraged me to go.”
Hadley Village resident, Jim Thomasson, who is a retired attorney, found the Citizen’s Academy. very enlightening. “I retired from my law practice about two and one-half years ago, and it’s nice to see this side of the process. They did a marvelous job orienting us to the many departments in the Sheriff’s Office, and it’s good to see, in addition to law enforcement, they do a lot of good work in the community. I’m almost sorry it is over — I thoroughly enjoyed attending the classes.”
After the introductory kickoff class, which met with the ‘top brass’ and the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, each week’s session provided an in-depth presentation of a different area of law enforcement. Lt. Pat Breeden explained the organizational zones, staffing and patrol operations. Lt. Chris Haworth and his deputies demonstrated forensic and criminal investigative techniques and Lt. Bobby Caruthers talked about hostage negotiations, patrolling our lakes and streams and K9 officers. Participants enjoyed the opportunity to meet four-legged ‘deputies’ and search dogs up close and personal.
In another session, Lt. Russell Merritt familiarized the residents with the Sheriff’s Office military properties, the ‘911’ communications center and the information technology employed by the organization. Major Steve Binegar talked about how they manage the jail, and the multiple accreditations the Sheriff’s Office has obtained.
They heard from Lt. Jon Galvin, who runs the vice operation and Lt. Pat Breeden about the SWAT team. “We make as much of the training as possible hands on,” Lt. Nehemiah Wolff said. “Participants like to meet our canines; handle our weapons and surveillance devices and see our mechanized vehicles and protective gear. Later this week, they can take a tour of our jail, our fleet maintenance facility and the Sheriff’s Offices, which are located in Bushnell.”
Frank Kenny talked about the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, which provide needed services for troubled youth and their families. “Sheriff Farmer has chaired that effort for quite a few years,” he said. Deputies and volunteers as well as trained professional counselors get involved with misguided youth in Sumter County and work to re-orient them to a positive life path. Residential and camp programs plus foster care are among the community services they provide. “We have had many success stories,” Kenny said proudly. “Not all of them, but we have had many graduate high school, attend college and even go on to careers in law enforcement.”
Sheriff Farmer mentioned ‘drop-off days’ next week — Thursday through Saturday — Nov. 6-8, where unneeded furniture, clothing and other items can be brought to the Sheriff’s Annex on CR 466. “The donated items will be sold in our ‘opportunity stores,’ with proceeds benefitting the Youth Ranches. He cautioned the residents: “If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from your Sheriff’s Office and soliciting donations — hang up — they are not us!”
“Sheriff Bill” mentioned he would like to serve an additional four years after his current term ends in 2016. “My wife retired a few years ago from teaching public school, but she won’t allow me to retire,” he quipped. “She wants me to get up early in the morning and go out to work — I guess she doesn’t want me around at home — so I hope to be re-elected one more time.”
The sheriff has sworn the oath to uphold the Constitutions of Florida and the United States, for God and country, to protect Sumter County against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Immensely popular, he has served four consecutive terms and has been un-opposed during the last three elections.
For information about future Sheriff’s Academy classes, phone Theresa Cooper at the Sumter County Sheriff’s Annex on CR 466 near Morse Boulevard at 352 689-4600.
