Veteran selected for SIB Police Department ‘Officer of the Year’

Pictured (l-r) are SIB Mayor George "Bud" Scholl posing with Officer Felipe "Flip" Hernandez and City Manager Christopher J. Russo.
Pictured (l-r) are SIB Mayor George "Bud" Scholl posing with Officer Felipe "Flip" Hernandez and City Manager Christopher J. Russo.
Pictured (l-r) are SIB Mayor George “Bud” Scholl posing with Officer Felipe “Flip” Hernandez and City Manager Christopher J. Russo.

In one of the most difficult years to select an Officer of the Year, the Sunny Isles Beach Police named Officer Felipe “Flip” Hernandez as Officer of the Year for 2016. The choice was difficult only because of the number of nominees and outstanding police work that had been performed by them.

SIB Commissioner Larisa Svechin (right) presents the police award to Civilian Employee of the Year Norelli Liguori.
SIB Commissioner Larisa Svechin (right) presents the police award to Civilian Employee of the Year Norelli Liguori.

But in the end, the room burst into applause and in agreement when Officer Hernandez’s name was read jointly by Mayor Bud Scholl and City Manager Chris Russo. Hernandez in his usual humble way accepted with grace and pride for the selection. Hernandez had a great year both investigatively and operationally. He prevented numerous crimes, made several key felony arrests, took several illegal guns off the streets and even found time to assist the Code Compliance Division on several key matters. He just seemed to be everywhere and did a thorough and complete job no matter the assignment.

The Civilian Employee of the Year Award went to Ms. Norelli Liguori, an employee at Pelican Park Community Center for her benevolent and unselfish assistance to a little girl who desired to be in the gymnastics program and Norelli made it happen. She shunned any recognition or attention to her good deeds but we found out anyway and she was unanimously chosen for her upholding the city motto and representation of “how can I help you?”

ADDITIONAL MAJOR AWARDS PRESENTED

City Manager’s Spirit of the City Award:
Officer Maureen Carulo Officer John Childress

Bill Lone Memorial Award:
Ibis Romero Officer Bill Howell

Ocean Rescue Lifeguard of the Year Award:
Sebastian Cuellar

Congratulations to all for their outstanding effort and performance in service to our city.


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