Law Enforcement MCSO Deputy and Employee of the Month

BRADENTON — Sandra Dickerman and Yvonne Gard acted quickly when they noticed a suspicious incident at a mall, leading to a theft arrest. Sergeant Salvatore Levita and Deputy Steven Matthews pushed their way through a hostile crowd to give medical treatment to a gunshot victim. They are the Manatee County Sheriff's Office Employees and Deputies of the Month.

On December 3, 2014, Sandra Dickerman and Yvonne Gard  were shopping for gifts for children for Flight to the North Pole. While waiting in the car in front of the store to load their purchases, they noticed a car pull up behind them. They kept watching the car to see if it would go around, but it did not.  

Two occupants got out of the car and went into the store, but left the car running and the windows down. A few moments later, they came running out of the store carrying a handful of items with security wrap still attached, jumped in the car and took off.

Sandra contacted Communications with a vehicle tag and description. Based on the information provided, a suspect was developed. The driver suspect was identified from a photo line-up and he was subsequently arrested on a warrant for theft.

Their awareness of surroundings and ability to recognize suspicious activity and take appropriate action led to a suspect being arrested, for which Sandra Dickerman and Yvonne Gard are awarded Employee of the Month for February 2015.

On December 20, 2014, Sergeant Salvatore Levita and Deputy Steven Matthews were in a shopping plaza when they heard a gunshot coming from east of their location. While searching the area, a call was dispatched on a person shot.

When they arrived at the scene, they observed the victim was surrounded by a crowd that was not being cooperative. Sergeant Levita and Deputy Matthews pushed their way through the crowd to the victim, checked his vital signs, but were not able to detect a pulse. They performed CPR and were able to get a pulse by the time emergency medical personnel arrived.

Although the victim died, they took quick and appropriate action in attempt to save a life, for which Sergeant Salvatore Levita and Deputy Steven Matthews are awarded Deputy of the Month for February 2015.