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During the City of Homestead’s monthly council meetings, Councilmember Larry Roth usually does the recognition of the outstanding police officers and officers of the month.
However, during the Jan. 25 city council meeting Special Presentations, Councilmember Roth made an exception and turned the microphone over to Vice Mayor Julio Guzman. The presentation became more of a family affair, with Vice Mayor Guzman making the Officer of the Month presentation to his older brother, Sergeant Engelbert “Bert” Guzman, for his dedication to service.
In December, Sergeant Guzman was called to an active scene by a City of Homestead detective and crisis negotiator of a potential suicide attempt at the Homestead Station parking garage. Negotiations to resolve the situation continued to be difficult until the victim requested to speak with Sergeant Guzman.
The victim nor Sergeant Guzman, who was off duty at the time, knew each other, but through reassuring communications with others, the victim allowed Sergeant Guzman to meet and speak with him. After two hours of negotiations, Sergeant Guzman was able to talk the victim off a ledge and surrender, where upon the victim was transported to a mental health facility.
A situation that could have fallen apart was resolved successfully by Sergeant Guzman, who had no previous crisis training.
Because of Sergeant Guzman’s ability to be patient and listen to this person express himself, showing understanding, kindness, and compassion above all, it was a positive outcome. As a true representation of professionalism and the Homestead Police Department, he is a credit to the city, his family, and the residents of Homestead.
Sergeant Guzman has been with the Homestead Police Department since 2005, first as a civilian employee working in the IT department, and then went to the Police Academy to become a Reserve Officer. In 2011, Sergeant Guzman was hired as a full- time officer and assigned to Uniform Patrol and then promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2019. In 2020, he was selected to supervise the newly formed Body Camera Unit.
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