The Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) honored nine first responders at its Quarterly Pillar Breakfast held at the The Alexander All-Suites Oceanfront Resort on Friday, February 5. A sold out event with over 200 community leaders in attendance, the second annual awards breakfast continues the Miami Beach Chamber’s tradition of recognizing the accomplishments of outstanding individuals doing brave work in the community.
Michael S. Goldberg, Chamber Chairman and SVP of Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust, along with Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, Commissioner Joy Malakoff, Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, Commissioner Michael Grieco, Commissioner Micky Steinberg and City Manager Jimmy Morales presented WPLG Local 10 reporter Erica Rakow and her mother, Toni Rakow-Lester, with a key to the City of Miami Beach on behalf of slain Miami Beach Police Officer, Scott Rakow. Chief of Police for the Village of Key Biscayne, Chuck Press, who is very close to the Rakow family, was also part of the presentation. Erica Rakow was 6 months old when her father, Miami Beach Police Officer Scott Rakow, died in the line of duty on July 1, 1988. The story of the 28-year-old officer gripped the region and thrust his family into the spotlight.
“Today’s breakfast continues the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce’s tradition of acknowledging the accomplishments of outstanding individuals doing brave work in our community,” said Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce Chairman and SVP of Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust Michael S. Goldberg. “In addition to recognizing nine Miami Beach first responders, it was a personal honor to acknowledge the memory of Miami Beach Police Officer Scott Rakow, who died in the line of duty in 1988, and present an award to WPLG local 10 reporter Erica Rakow and her mother Toni Rakow-Lester.”
The Chamber recognized three City of Miami Beach Police Officers and one Detective as well as a Communications Operator, two Firefighters, one Ocean Rescue lieutenant and lifeguard. Chamber Pillar Board Chair, Mirielle Enlow along with the City of Miami Beach Emergency Management Head Chuck Tear, Police Chief Dan Oates and Fire/Ocean Rescue Chief Virgil Fernandez presented the awards to the first responders of their respective units.
The individuals honored were:
o Officer Kendrick Brailsford
o Officer Reginald Horton
o Officer Ralph Vera
o Detective Luis Estopinan
o Dispatcher Tanya Guyton
o Firefighter Danny Perez
o Firefighter Pedro Bermejo
o Lifeguard Pete Pratchtakov
o Lieutenant Donald Hornby
The Miami Beach Police Color Guard presented the American flag followed by a special invocation/benediction by Police Chaplain Reverend Gary Johnson, which opened and closed the program. Althea Peacock, assistant to City Manager Jimmy Morales, sang the national anthem.
Each honoree was sponsored by a leading business or organization in the community. The organizations that sponsored a first responder were:
o Mango’s Tropical Café
o Coalition Against Causeway Chaos
o FirstService Residential
o Primecard
o Miami FC
o Atlantic Broadband
o Normandy Shores Homeowners Association
o Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors
o Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce Pillar Board
Each honoree received the following gifts from the following organizations:
o Mango’s Tropical Café: donated a party for 10
o The Panthers: donated tickets and will receive special recognition at the game
o Miami Children’s Museum: donated a family membership
o Tropical Chevrolet: donated a weekend loaner of a vehicle
o Boucher Brothers: gave a weekend VIP beach package
o Sobe Dentist: donated a teeth cleaning session
o The W Hotel: donated a one night stay at the hotel
o Miami Beach Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery: donated facials
o Miami FC: donated tickets to the Inaugural Match
o The Marlins: donated tickets
o 1826 Restaurant: donated a dining experience
o Oxford Counseling: donated counseling sessions
o Barre Motion: donated a 30 class package
o Miami Beach Family & Sports Chiropractic: donated a weekend warrior basket
