LTC 035-2013 Leo Award Winner CM
MIAMI BEACH
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OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER t
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NO. LTC # 035 -2013 LETTER TO COMMISSFONT -
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TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Kathie G. Brooks, Interim City Manager
DATE: February 5, 2013
SUBJECT: LEO AWARD WINNER — OFFICER THOMAS FLEISCHHAUER
This Letter to the Mayor and City Commission is to announce that MBPD Officer Thomas
Fleischhauer received the Miami Dade Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement
Award for Specialized Services at the 2012 LEO Awards Banquet on January 26, 2012.
Officer Fleischhauer is assigned to the MBPD Marine Patrol Unit and was involved in several
extraordinary incidents during 2012. The following are the top four incidents for which Officer
Fleischhauer was recognized:
Incident #1:
On July 7, 2012, a vessel with a couple on board departed from the Haulover inlet enroute to
South Bimini Bahamas. The vessel ran into inclement weather (high winds and 4 to 6 feet
seas) and hit a large wave. The impact from this wave caused the transom to rip free from
the hull. While the vessel quickly began to take on water, the passengers were able to send
a distress call to the U.S. Coast Guard. The vessel eventually capsized leaving the
passengers clinging to the hull, drifting.in the Gulf Stream current.
Officer Fleischhauer heard the distress call to the U.S. Coast Guard with the last known
position, approximately six miles northeast of the Miami Harbor. He recognized the
coordinates to be off shore from 40 Street and Miami Beach. Officer Fleischhauer advised
that he would be responding and began searching an area further north due to the drift of
the Gulf Stream current. After an extensive search, he was able to locate the capsized
vessel approximately three miles north of their last known position. He was able to safely
rescue the stranded passengers and coordinate with Miami -Dade Fire Rescue for medical
care at the Haulover Boat Dock.
Incident #2:
On August 12, 2012, Officer Fleischhauer was patrolling Biscayne Bay in the area of
Monument Island when he observed black smoke emitting from the engine compartment of
a blue 24 foot Cris Craft bow rider vessel. The vessel's captain was taken onboard the,
MBPD Marine Patrol vessel. Due to exigent circumstances, the vessel in peril was taken
under tow and held into the wind, away from the bridge until Miami -Dade Fire Boat 1 arrived
on scene. Further investigation revealed that the vessel had begun to take on water as a
result of the intake and exhaust hoses being melted by the fire. Had it not been for Officer
Fleischhauer's immediate response, the captain of the burning vessel would have been
seriously injured in the fire. Further harm to other boaters and the environment were also .
mitigated by Officer's Fleischhauer's taking control of the situation and towing the vessel into
a safer position.
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Incident #3:
The Barry Kutun Boat Ramp is heavily utilized by boaters during the weekend to load and
unload their vessels. There is only one ramp and boaters have to be patient and wait their
turn. Occasionally, people become impatient and tempers flare. On August 12, 2012, two
boaters were involved in a verbal altercation over the use of the ramp. The verbal
altercation escalated into a physical altercation when the subject's husband pushed one of
the victims. The subject then exited her minivan armed with a .38 caliber revolver. The
subject pointed the firearm at the victims while yelling at them. The subject then discharged
multiple rounds into the air. Officer Fleischhauer heard the initial shots and exited the
Marine Patrol Headquarters building to further investigate. Officer Fleischhauer observed
the subject fire several more rounds into the air. Officer Fleischhauer requested emergency
back -up and responded to the boat ramp to engage the subject. Upon the arrival of
additional officers, the subject was taken into custody without further incident. Officer
Fleischhauer was able to help diffuse the situation before anyone was seriously injured.
Incident # 4:
On September 5, 2012, K9 Officer Anderson attended court at 10:30 a.m. Officer Anderson
turned on the K9 Deployment and Heat Alert System and left his K9 partner, Jimmy, inside
his marked patrol vehicle. The K9 Deployment and Heat Alert System is supposed to
monitor the temperature within the vehicle. Should the police vehicle's air conditioning
system fail, the K9 Deployment and Heat Alert System activates by making noise with the
vehicle horn and prompt the overhead lights and a fan installed in the rear compartment
(kennel) to activate. Although there are different statistics on how long it takes for a dog to
die in a an overheated car, the majority (including PETA) says it takes about 15 minutes
when the car is parked in the sun on a 78 degree or hotter day. This tool is life- saving, to
say the least, considering the extreme heat in South Florida.
Officer Fleischhauer was attending court at the same location at 10:15 a.m. As he was
leaving the courthouse, he saw the K9 Deployment and Heat Alert system was activated on
Officer Anderson's vehicle. He also observed smoke emitting from the hood of the vehicle.
Realizing time was of the essence; Officer Anderson was able to find an officer in
possession of a "slim jim" and quickly began the process of unlocking the car door. Officer
Fleischhauer unlocked the door, rolled down all the windows and shut off the car. By this
time, Officer Anderson who had been notified by the Court Liaison Office, responded to his
vehicle. K9 Jimmy was extracted from the vehicle, out of breath and weak, but in good
spirits.
Officer Fleischhauer had planned to shatter the driver's window to gain entry and rescue K9
Jimmy if he hadn't been able to locate a slim jim device. Officer Anderson explained that if
that had occurred, there was a significant likelihood that K9 Jimmy would have engaged
Officer Fleischhauer. Officer Fleischhauer sincerely stated to Officer Anderson that, "he
would have taken the bite to get him out."
Officer Fleischhauer's actions during 2012 saved many lives including potentially saving the
life of K9 Jimmy. He never hesitates to put the lives and wellbeing of others before his own
safety. He's truly a hero in every definition of the word.
Please join me in congratulating Officer Fleischhauer on his tremendous accomplishments
during 2012, and his recognition from the South Florida law enforcement community by
honoring him with the LEO Award.
KGB:RAM:tr
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