Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post 900 - State Champs!

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Post 900 wins both the State Competition Championship and the State Pistol Championship at the Florida Association of Police Explorers competition held in Orlando, Florida on June 9-13, 2008!  Competing against 27 other law enforcement explorer posts from across Florida, Pinellas County’s “Team Alpha” received the overall championship trophy.  The state team comprised of Explorer Captain Luke Dougherty, Explorer Lieutenant Thomas Garmon, Explorer Sergeant Joshua Davidson, and Explorer Sergeant Nathan Mowatt participated in nine specific events and received a 5th place trophy and three 2nd place trophies.  The team received fifth place for the In-Progress event which involved a response to a disturbance escalating to an officer down scenario.  They received second place in the Search and Arrest, Crisis Intervention and Crime Scene events.  Search and Arrest involved the team’s response to a suspicious vehicle occupied by a convicted felon in possession of a controlled substance and a fire-arm.  The Crisis Intervention scenario required a hostage negotiation for a barricaded teen armed with a knife.  The Crime Scene event involved a thorough law enforcement response and forensic processing of a home invasion robbery.  The team consistently reacted to every challenge using good officer safety and investigative techniques, knowledge of the law, and exceptional communication skills.  These skills were developed due to training provided by volunteers from many of Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office best, as well as, the commitment and dedication of Post Advisors, Sergeant Jennifer Davis and Detective Robert Staples. 

The Post 900 Honor Guard not only competed in the color guard competition and received a 2nd place trophy, they also posted the colors at both the opening and closing ceremonies of the competition.  Honor Guard advisors Corporal Iliano Caminero and Deputy Robert Burns have exposed their members to the training and highest of military standards expected of an honor guard carrying our nation’s flag.  Not only has the Post 900 Honor Guard proven itself in competition, but they have also been involved in numerous community events and parades throughout the year.  

The Post 900 Pistol Team was also victorious at the competition.  Explorer Captain Luke Dougherty, Explorer Lieutenant Thomas Garmon, Explorer Sergeant Joshua Davidson, and Explorer Corporal Cody Malander combined their individual scores to bring home the first place pistol team trophy.  Seventeen members of Explorer Post 900 took the opportunity to compete, whether they were veteran shooters or first time competitors.  Several of our members received individual trophies in their divisions.  Explorer Christos Bakomihalis took 1st place, Explorer Sergeant Nathan Mowatt took 2nd place, and Explorer George Caram took 4th place in the TYRO division.  Explorer Sergeant Jackie Miller took 4th place and Explorer Sergeant Nick Pryor took 5th place in the Marksman division.  Explorer Michael Metzger took 5th place in the Sharp Shooter division.  Explorer Corporal Cody Malander took 3rd place, Explorer Lieutenant Thomas Garmon took 4th place, and Explorer Captain Luke Dougherty took 5th place in the Expert division.  Success on the pistol range is attributed to the hours of instruction and training provided by Chuck Wessell and the Wyoming Antelope Club, L.P. Miller and the St. Pete Pistol Range, and faithful Explorer Post Advisors, Deputy Don Kiefhaber and Corporal Robert Bauman.

In addition to the pistol trophies, several of our Explorer Post members participated in individual events including the Emergency Vehicle Operations Course, the Police Mountain Biking Competition and the Physical Agility Course.  Explorer Captain Luke Dougherty received a 1st place trophy and Explorer Christos Bakomihalis received a 3rd place trophy in the Physical Agility competition competing against every individual explorer at the competition this year.  Post members volunteered each week to participate in physical training provided by advisor’s Sergeant Patrick Knight and Deputy William Lussier.  Their commitment to physical conditioning certainly paid off this year!      
       

Being part of these specialty competition teams requires a commitment over and above the weekly post meetings and community service that Exploring entails.  The members of Post 900 have shown a consistent motivation and exceptional drive setting them apart from other teens.  We are so proud of each and every member.  We thank the parents, instructors and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office for their continued support!  These are the experiences of a lifetime, building tomorrow’s leaders today!  Congratulations Post 900- The BEST in the state!