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Clermont swears in new police chief and honors officers with Medal of Valor and awards
Summary
City of Clermont swore in a new police chief and presented departmental awards, including a Medal of Valor to six officers for actions during a February shooting incident; the police department also presented funds raised in a memorial 5K to two nonprofits.
The City of Clermont on June 10 administered the oath of office to the city’s newly appointed police chief and recognized department personnel with annual awards and a Medal of Valor.
City Clerk Hall administered the oath to the new police chief (name recorded in the official minutes). In remarks after the oath, the new chief thanked family, the city and department personnel for their support and pledged to work with city leadership.
The department presented its 2024 officer-of-the-year award to Officer Susanna Ray for investigative work on multiple major cases, Sergeant Dennis Hall was named supervisor of the year for leading the Crime Suppression Unit, and six officers — Sergeant Dennis Hall, Corporal Jimmy Harper, Corporal Jeremy Gustafson, Corporal Alex Aponte, K-9 Officer Kevin Guy and Officer Anthony Burgos — were presented the Medal of Valor for actions during an armed incident on February 5. The department said officers entered an apartment after reports of a deceased adult female and encountered an armed suspect who fired multiple rounds; officers returned fire and provided cover while other personnel withdrew from the residence. The department described the response as an example of exceptional bravery and coordination.
Detective Aaron Clark presented a community check from the department’s “Honoring the Fallen” 5K; staff said the event sold out with more than 620 participants and raised roughly $19,000 to be split between the Code 4 Initiative and the Central Florida Concerns of Police Survivors chapter. Bria Berry, president of Central Florida Concerns of Police Survivors and a surviving spouse, spoke to the council about her organization’s work supporting families of fallen officers.
Nut graf: The formal oath and awards ceremony put a spotlight on officer recruitment, department morale and community fundraising; councilors recognized the department’s recent work and acknowledged the risks officers face on duty.
Ending: The council later moved into regular agenda items including presentations and budget-related discussions.
