SPD Officers Recognized As 2008's Best

Two Sebring Police Department officers were recognized Wednesday as the 2008 Police Officers of the Year.

Cpl. Michael Cutolo and Officer Chad Landry received the Exceptional Duty Award at a reception held at American Legion Post 74.

"We appreciate the job you're doing for us," said Post Commander Ed Bates. "You deserve the recognition you get."

Cutolo was commended for sharing the role of both a patrol officer and watch commander in 2008, as well as completing 65 incident reports, making 25 arrests and issuing 27 traffic citations, according to Chief Tom Dettman.

Landry worked as a patrol officer last year and wrote 130 incident reports, made 65 arrests and issued 129 citations.

Dettman spoke of a specific incident that he said stood as a "testimonial to these officers' dedication to the health, safety and well being of the citizens who visit and call Sebring home."

Both the officers went to City Pier Beach on June 7, 2008, after receiving a call of a swimmer in distress. Before they got to the beach, the swimmer went underwater and did not come back up to the surface, according to Dettman.

Cutolo and Landry went into Lake Jackson and tried to save the drowning victim, 23-year-old Bobby Clark, who died. The swimmer began cramping and drowned in a dredge hole

"Both officers continued their efforts to locate and rescue the victim, even to the point of exhaustion," Dettman said. "Corporal Cutolo and Officer Landry's actions that day certainly exemplified their extraordinary dedication to duty."

Landry, whose grandfather was a Tennessee deputy, has been with the SPD for two years. Prior to going into law enforcement, he said he was with the Army National Guard's military police unit and served one year in Afghanistan in 2006.

Cutolo started his career six years ago with the SPD by working dispatch. He is the first in his family to go into law enforcement, a career he had wanted "ever since I can remember."

After Wednesday's ceremony, which was followed by refreshments, Cutolo had only one word to describe his recognition as one of two officers of the year.

"Privileged," he said.