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LTC 292-2008 Governor's Medal of Heroism~/~~ f+l~~ i~ t ~ a ~~ ~~i ~ ` Wd i 'L f i GF CE OF T'1E CITY MANAGER NG LTC # 292-2008 LETCER 'CO COh1MiSS10N ~, ~, -- .~ 0 To Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City Commission ~` z _ -;-~ - - o r ~ t t FROnn: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager C.. __ ___ - N ~ \ .~i. r DATE: November 12, 2008 ~' ~ ~ _ ~~ ` SURJFC T Governor's Medal of Heroism ' ~ _ ' N PT ._~ _ This Letter to the City Commission is to announce the selection of Detective Luis King and Fire Fighter David Anderson by the Governor's Committee of the Medal of Heroism to receive this prestigious award. This selection was the result of Detective King's and Fire Fighter Anderson's acts of bravery during a catastrophic yacht fire, which occurred at the Miami Beach Marina on March 31, 2008. To summarize what occurred with the incident in question: Police and Fire units responded to a yacht on Tire at the Miami Beach Marina with two young adults trapped inside the vessel. Arriving units found the yacht fully engulfed inflames, and heard the two trapped teenagers banging on the hull from inside the vessel. Two citizens at the scene offered their boat to aid in a planned rescue effort. The strategy was to put a fire fighter with a chain saw on board the boat and maneuver around to a safe area of the burning vessel where a hole could be cut into the hull and save the occupants. Realizing that, one fire-fighter (David Anderson) and the two citizens would not be enough to ensure a safe mission, Detective Luis King volunteered to assist. While motoring to the starboard side of the vessel, the crew of the small boat braved rolling Flames, stifling heat , as well as, thick hazardous smoke and fumes, to get to the hull and immediately get to work. Detective King took turns with Fire-Fighter Anderson running the chainsaw and painstakingly pried chunks of fiberglass away from the hull to make an opening. Eventually they were able to make a hole large enough for the teenagers to escape the burning yacht. Without the efforts of Miami Beach Firefighter David Anderson, and Detective Luis King, (along with the assistance of the two civilian boat owners), these two young lives would certainly have been lost. Please join me, as well as, Chiefs Noriega and Yuhr in congratulating these outstanding Miami Beach Public Safety Employees for their heroic actions and steadfast commitment to protecting the citizens of our Ciry. It should be noted that the Governor's Medal of Heroism nominations were submitted through the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Florida State Lodge at the suggestion of FOP President Robert Jenkins. The ceremony for this prestigious award will be conducted on December 3, 2008 at the Capitol Complex in Tallahassee, Florida with a reception following the event at the Governor's Mansion. JN9G:CN;tr Governor's Medal Of Heroism To: Detective Luis King Prom: The Governor's Medal Of Heroism Committee President Jatnes Preston, Florida Fraternal (hder Of Police Sheriff Robert Crowder, Florida Sheri fi's Association President 13ob Garner, Florida Professional Fire Fighters Association Captain llacid Folsom, Tallahassee Police Department F,xecutivc llircctor Matt Puckett, Florida Police Benevolent Association Executive Director'lommy Owens, Florida Association of Stale Troopers Commissioner Ed Dcpuy, Lcon County Commission Chief Tony Vekmg, Florida Police Chiefs Association Subject: Governor's Approval 01 Recipients On September 1G`", 2008 the Committee For the Governor's Conwuttee of The Ddedal of Heroism met and voted unattimously to accept amd recommend you to receive the prestigious award for your act of valor and heroism. Per the Florida Statute 112.194, you have met all oY'thc required criteria to receive the 1\ledal Of Heroism. On Oc[ober 29"'. 2008 the l~lorida Governor`s Office called and informed that Cotmnittee Director that , Governor Grist had given his final approval for you to receive the Medal Of' Her<»sm. At the present time, there are two potential dates for the awards ceremony. November 1 Th, 2008 or December ord. 2008. 1 will be notifying you of the fatal date, when 1 am given approval by the Governor's Office to begin protocols for the ceremony. if you have any questions. or need assistance please contact the Committee Director Lisa Henning, at 850-656-9881. Please contact Lisa Henning, with the enact spelling of your name for the en~•aving. Congratulations and Thank You for dedication to duty and the citizen's of Florida.