TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Attorney General James Uthmeier congratulated thirty-six law enforcement members for being named the Attorney General’s inaugural Law Enforcement Team of the Year. These men and women from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office are being honored for their courageous and coordinated response that led to the apprehension of the alleged suspect involved in the attempted assassination of President Donald J. Trump.
“The men and women of this team exemplify the very best of law enforcement—swift, selfless, and steadfast in the face of unimaginable danger,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “They upheld the rule of law when it mattered most. Florida proudly honors them as our inaugural Law Enforcement Team of the Year.”
The team is being recognized for their exceptional response on September 15, 2024, apprehending Ryan Routh, the alleged would-be assassin of then-former President Donald J. Trump, while he was golfing at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. The suspect fled the scene but was later captured in Martin County, thanks to the coordination and decisive action of the individuals recognized today.
The team includes deputies, detectives, supervisors, tactical officers, dispatchers from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, and one off-duty special agent from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office who quickly sprang into action. Each played a critical role in the safe and successful operation, from real-time intelligence sharing and communication to tactical execution and containment of the threat to the then-former president.
Their rapid, unified response stands as a testament to the professionalism of Florida law enforcement and reflects the Attorney General’s commitment to backing the blue and keeping Florida—and the nation—safe, strong, and free.
The members included in the 2024 Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Team of the Year are:
Christine Baker
Ana Beiro
Sergeant Dillon Bellas
Rhonda Bernatski
Deputy Gedeon Brenovil
Kirsten Burkey
Lieutenant Yesenia Carde
Detective Aaron Chandler
Tawnya Collins
Master Deputy Erick Day
Deputy Cody Dionne
Lieutenant Travis Dykes
Deputy Edward Elliott
Sergeant Dominic Ferrusi
Deputy Brent Hitchcock
Victoria Johnson
Detective Shayne Kennedy
Sergeant Sam Kimmel
Deputy Wyatt Kirkham
Major Joshua Kloster
Agent Austin Laufer
Sergeant Garrett Lott
Natalie McFadden
Deputy Alex Mercado
Corporal Matt Mosley
Detective Angelo Palmieri
Deputy Joshua Pease
Sergeant Crystal Nash
Deputy James Sanders
Deputy Nicholas Shaw
Sergeant Bradley Spencer
Deputy Nicholas Thomas
Sergeant Steve Walter
Captain Gavin Werner
Corporal Cameron White
Sergeant David Yun
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Agent Austin Laufer acted while off duty. The remaining awardees listed are members of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.
