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Dawsy receives national award
Tapped as National Law Officer of the Year
Earlier this summer, Citrus County Sheriff Jeff Dawsy was named Florida’s Law Officer of the Year by an independent fraternal organization of U.S. veterans commonly known as the Forty and Eight.
Now the same organization has named him the National Law Officer of the Year.
“About a week ago I found out that I had won the national award,” Dawsy said.
He thanked the Voiture Nationale of La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux, as the organization is formally known, and described the honor as “humbling and overwhelming.”
“The whole agency shares in the award,” he said.
He will accept the award in mid-September at the society’s 92nd annual conference in Vancouver, Wash.
Dawsy said he had been nominated for the state award and went through an interview process that relied heavily on a portfolio the organization put together about background.
“They really go through your whole career in law enforcement and they document it,” Dawsy said. The interview process for the national award was not as in-depth, but he said only state award winners are eligible for the national recognition.
Dawsy’s background includes his role in obtaining state and national accreditation status for the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, the Jessica Lunsford murder investigation and subsequent state legislation known as the Jessica Lunsford Act, the agency’s extensive use of volunteers, and partnerships with the Citrus County School Board, the Citrus County Commission and the Florida Department of Children and Families.
The Forty and Eight formed in March 1920 by Joseph W. Breen, a member of the newly formed American Legion, and 15 other prominent Legionnaires who envisioned a new and different level of elite membership and camaraderie for leaders of the American Legion committed to charitable goals.
The independent organization’s national award program recognizes a law enforcement officer who has done an outstanding job of performing his or her duties, both past and present.
“I truly am overwhelmed,” Dawsy said of the recognition from the Forty and Eight. “A national award of this caliber, presented by the extraordinary men and women of the Forty and Eight, easily is one of the major highlights of my law enforcement career.”
Chronicle reporter Cheri Harris can be reached at (352) 564-2926 or charris @chronicleonline.com.
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What in the heck? He got this
What in the heck? He got this award because he did an outstanding investigation with the Jessica Lunsford case? It took the same amount of time for the idiots at the CCSO to find Jessica 100 yards away as it did to find little Caylee Anthony. You call that an outstanding investigation? They didn't notice a burial site 100 yards away? They did a worse job then the Orange County Sheriffs dept. Jeff Dawsy is an idiot, a drunk, and a swinger. He's always drinking his like a fool out at different resturuants on friday and saturday nights with different women. He did not deserve this award and does not deserve to be sheriff of our county.
SHOULD HAVE GOT MOST CORRUPT SHERRIF IN FLORIDA
this man is a joke, dawsey RETIRE! your out of the loop when it comes to CRIME IN the 21st century....this county is sexual predator capital of AMERICA all the wack jobs run here and dawsey is only worried about money$$$$$$$$$$$$.that is the ONLY reason why he is running.what he needs to be worried about is the RISE OF CRIME IN CITRUS COUNTY!!!! AND DAWSEY IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE TO RUN THIS COUNTY INTO THE FUTURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!RETIRE DAWSEY YOUR TIME IS UP........ you may know alot of people here but the times are changing.... so mr dawsey what do you plan to do different this year???? NOTHING just collect a check!!! we as the people of citrus county want your good ol boy justice out of citrus.you just make this county look bad!!!!!tell the people of citrus county about what goes on at home because we need a sherrif that can be an open book...will you open your book or is it filled with domestic violence calls and your significant other going to rehab for what??? ...why dont you tell the people of citrus county mr dawsey or will it ruin your good ol boy reputation?????? JUST RETIRE BEFORE YOU END UP IN fired NAAAAA I HAVE AN IDEA we will just film every step you make and record everything you say and we will start calling are state senator,governer,legislators,and anybody who will listen.....maybe the older people may support you .but as far as anyone with a brain... cant wait to get cheny mason out here in po dung circus county...or mark nejamm...jose baez...WE NEED CHANGE FOR CITRUS COUNTY RESIDENTS or people just start moving out of this county!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Someone has to nominate a winner.
Congratulations Sheriff,
I am not going to argue with the previous poster. My understanding is that Sheriff Dawsy has the longevity and uniqueness to provide good benefit to the County. While working as a deputy, he went to college after hours, then he got a masters degree, after hours. So I would say that demonstrates that he is driven.
He's still married to the same gal I'm told. This says something about his dedication.
He started as a Deputy, got his education then ran for sheriff when Charley Dean retired about 1995. During his tenure, he has steadfastly insisted on high standards in his commanders, which trickles down to the deputies.
I would not be surprised if someone did a survey an found that our Sheriff's department has the highest average level of education in the State. The education that he got plus the culture of education within the Sheriff's department benefits all of us with thoughtful leadership, considerate decisions, compassionate responses to horrendous situations and, above all, professional bearing.
I am a person from whom respect must be earned. This Citrus County Sheriff's Dept. has earned my respect.
Congratulations for good attendance
Congratulations on the award. The criteria for Law officer of the year is very demamding and states:
"It is not a prerequisite, although a favorable attribute, for any candidate to have accomplished an extraordinary feat to be eligible. It is the intent of the Program to recognize the Law Enforcement Officer who has performed their duties in an outstanding manner for a number of years..."
I'm sure the the Jessica Lunsford murder investigation and subsequent state legislation known as the Jessica Lunsford Act was very important. Too bad, the investigation wasn't more effective to find her before she was murdered....now that would have been the extraordinary feat worthy of the honor.
Forty and Eight has a membership of 33 thousand nationwide...It is a self-perpetuating good old boys society. It is similar to the Shriners but at least the Shriners help the kids. Any honor is an honor, but to me this one is like getting recognition in school for being a well behaved studend and having good attendance. For the Sheriff, this is like getting a service award for being on the job....
This is the same organization that recognized Inverness as the best city in Florida in 2009 over 582 other cities (amazing). Inverness was nominated by a Hernando resident and member of the Forty and Eight. I'm sure the same Hernando resident and member of the Forty and Eight nominated the Sheriff. Sure would like to see the details on the application for the nomination.
Makes one wonder what the criteria is for any of the awards.
This newspaper article would make one think that this award/recognition implies that the Sheriff is the best law officer in the country! REALLY? - Any one ever hear of Sheriff Joe Arpaio in Arizona? Now that's a law enforcement officer who has many accomplishments - with extraordinary feats like busting large scale criminal organizations and gangs. Joe is also addressing the ravages of drug and people smuggling.
What I see in this article and award is an attempt to paint the Sheriff as one of the best in the country. I'm sure that this awards has nothing to do with politics and his relection.