MCSO Deputy and Employee of the Month

BRADENTON – Deputy Gary Sellitto played an instrumental role in the recent fire at the Rod & Reel Pier on Anna Maria Island, helping to keep patrons safe and minimize damage to the iconic location. Alicia Fredenberg's quick thinking helped keep her fiancé alive during a recent medical emergency. They are the Manatee Sheriff's Office Deputy and Employee of the Month.

From MCSO:

On September 18, 2013, Alicia Fredenberg woke to find her fiancé asleep in the recliner, but did not disturb him as she left home to run errands. When she returned, he was still in the chair. When Alicia checked on him, his breathing was labored, he had a faint pulse and he was unresponsive, so she called 911. While waiting for EMS, Alicia started CPR. He was transported to the hospital and the emergency room staff credited her actions to saving his life.

For her quick and appropriate response, Alicia Fredenburg is awarded Employee of the Month for October 2013.

On September 30, 2013, Deputy Gary Sellitto was conducting directed patrol at an Anna Maria restaurant, checking to ensure no damage or criminal activity was discovered by the employees when they opened that morning. An employee brought to his attention an area on the lower level of the restaurant where there was the smell of burning wood. As Deputy Sellitto tried to locate the source of the smell, he saw smoke billowing from an opening in the ceiling.

Deputy Sellitto recognized the dangers if the old construction and weathered wood erupted into a major fire and took action to evacuate the pier. He maintained a calm demeanor as he directed patrons to move to the shoreline and then asked the employees for assistance to locate and shut off the electrical power. As the smoke thickened, Deputy Sellitto thought of the gas lines. Disregarding his own safety, he returned to the structure to locate the main shut-off. When firefighters arrived on scene, he briefed them on the circumstances and they were able to secure the gas main and extinguish the fire.

His actions showed composure and self-sacrifice in the face of danger, minimized property damage and most importantly saved lives, for which Deputy Gary Sellitto is awarded Deputy of the Month for October 2013.

TBT salutes both employees for their service to our community.