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Every October, the Aventura Marketing Council/Chamber of Commerce (AMC) holds their annual ‘Salute to Law Enforcement’ Breakfast Meeting and for many years, it was sponsored by Anthony Damato, who gave of his time, energy and resources to help the law enforcement community, as well as victims of domestic violence, the homeless and needy children.
Anthony was loved and respected by law enforcement departments across South Florida, and just one of his most generous gestures was to annually give a car to the Officer of the Year. But 2021 was different. Anthony had passed away in July, leaving a community in shock and sadness.
But we knew we had to keep his legacy alive, the same thoughts of Al Eskanazy, Chairman and CEO of the Community-Police Relations Foundation. With his help and sponsorship, and that of Ben Launerts, So. Fl. Regional Vice President of REEF Parking and Dimitry Shaposhnikov, Founder and CEO of FrandMe Law Enforcement.com, the annual “Salute to Law Enforcement” Breakfast Meeting was able to continue on, this time adding on the Anthony Damato Legacy Awards in the fields of Community Policing and Criminal Investigations.
The response from police departments throughout Miami-Dade County was tremendous, thanks to the help of South Miami Police Chief Rene Landa, who is also the President of the Association of Dade Chiefs of Police. Twenty Police Chiefs, 40 other police leadership and 16 police K9s as well as AMC members and local elected officials were in attendance at the recent AMC Breakfast Meeting held at the beautiful Hilton Aventura.
As guests entered the elegant Carrington Ballroom, Young Star Jazzy Ortiz was singing, the camaraderie was evident and the excitement was palpable. As the police K9s entered the room with their handlers, guests flocked to them…yes, the dogs were friendly and just loved all the attention!
Aventura Mayor Enid Weisman welcomed everyone and related a story about being asked, “What do police officers make?”, and her response was, “They make a difference!”. AMC Chairman Gary Pyott introduced all the Police Chiefs, Mayors and VIP guests at the multiple head tables, and then asked all members of law enforcement to stand and be recognized…the room was filled with the men and women who proudly accepted a standing ovation from the audience. After the meeting sponsors were recognized and the new AMC members were given their new member plaques, it was time for the special awards for each Police Chief. One by one, they were called up with all of their police department members and municipal leaders to accept the awards. Cameras were flashing constantly as these heroes of our community were recognized for everything they do to keep us safe.
Three people were asked to present the winners of the 1st annual Anthony Damato Legacy Awards: Al Eskanazy, Anthony’s fiance’ Eveline Salinas and Anthony’s ‘almost-sister’, Diana Venturini. Eveline and Diana presented the award for Community Policing to Off. Rodney Napier from the South Miami Police Dept. Salinas said, “This award honors Anthony’s legacy of living in service of others. He believed that strong partnerships between the business community, its leaders and our citizens, was essential to the growth not only financial but in values and love for one another. This is an amazing legacy for Anthony, and I thank you for it. It is an honor for Diana and me to present this award to Officer Rodney Napier, winner of the Anthony Damato Legacy Award for Community Policing. “Chief Rene Landa added, “Officer Napier is absolutely passionate, energetic and so very genuine—he comes in every day with an incredible energy level to meet with the homeless who he really tries to help get off the street. His goal is to make each person whole again.” Off. Napier said, “This award really belongs to the people that I serve and the big man himself, Anthony Damato. There are a few people who have the vision that allows me to be here to do what I do—among them, my Chief and my City Manager, Shari Kumali. I want to encourage all the gold bars and gold stars here today to innovate your community policing.”
Eskanazy echoed Off. Napier’s comments, “Anthony Damato stole my heart. I told him that if there was anything I could do to help in a financial way, instead of you, as a working man, digging into your own pocket, let me know. Thank you for the privilege of being part of this special day.” He then presented the award for Criminal Investigations to Det. Enrique Sanchez from the Miami-Dade Police Dept. Village of Palmetto Bay Policing Unit, and he was joined by Major Maria Guerra. Major Guerra said, “I nominated Detective Sanchez for this award because he is a good representative of Mr. Damato’s legacy. Detective Sanchez cares not only for the solvability of the crime, but he cares for the impact the crime has on the victims. He is patient and kind and follows up with the victims and guides them through the process and is known to seek out resources in an attempt to help the victims cope better with their losses. We’re honored that he won this award.” Det. Sanchez said, “I am overwhelmed with gratitude to have been selected to receive the Anthony Damato Legacy Award, and would like to thank the Aventura Marketing Council for this award and for their unwavering support to law enforcement.” He then read a quote from Antoine de Saint-Exupery as a tribute to Anthony Damato, “He who has gone, so we but cherish his memory, abides with us, more potent, nay, more present than the living man.”
This was one of those mornings that remain in your memory…giving us pause to be grateful for the outstanding law enforcement we are privileged to have here in South Florida. As Gary Pyott ended the meeting, he said, “Wherever and whenever you see a police officer, be sure to thank them!”
COMMUNITY-POLICE RELATIONS FOUNDATION is dedicated to strengthening community and law enforcement relations. www.cprfcharity.org
REEF PARKING is North America’s largest parking network, providing consumers with convenient, frictionless experiences and landlords with data-rich environments www.reefparking.com
FRANDMELAWENFORCEMENT.COM is a law enforcement app providing immediate, real -time communication within a secure network www.frandmelawenforcement.com
