MSO Employee and Deputy of the Month

BRADENTON – On November 18, 2009, a brutal homicide occurred in Palmetto, and Crime Scene Tech Adrianne Walls was tasked with processing a significant amount of evidence in the case. Although there was a lot of evidence processed, there was not much success in developing a suspect. When a suspect was developed, evidence was recovered related to him, including a medical reference book with 1,000+ pages.

Adrianne completed the task of processing 200+ pages of the book, but did not feel comfortable leaving the rest of the pages unprocessed, knowing it could become an issue during court testimony. She continued to process the rest of the pages and was able to develop a single print in the middle of the book that was identified to the suspect. This forensic evidence proved to be a major piece of evidence in the case, because it linked the suspect to the location of the crime.

Robert Feverston, Latent Print Examiner, was tasked with fingerprint comparisons in the case. Over 100 fingerprints of family and friends were compared by Robert. He examined latent prints from 100+ pages of the medical reference book and made a hit that matched the suspect. Robert testified twice in the trial and prosecutors commended his work.

The suspect was convicted of the crime in August 2012.

For their commitment, diligence, and expertise in their fields Adrianne Walls and Robert Feverston are awarded Employee of the Month for September, 2012. Congratulations!

On August 12, 2012, Deputy William McBride received a call from Communications that an occupied vessel was sinking in Terra Ceia Bay. 911 relayed information from a wife that the boat was near the Crab Trap and Deputy McBride had additional information that it was in the vicinity of a small island. He began his search in the area of Bird Key, and even though hindered by heavy thunderstorms and frequent lightning, he located the vessel with the occupants partially submerged in about five feet of water. Deputy McBride took the occupants and their belongings on board and returned them to safety.

His immediate response coupled with his knowledge of the area resulted in the safe recovery of these individuals, for which Deputy McBride is awarded Deputy of the Month for September 2012. Congratulations!