Jose Torres named the MCSO Employee of the Year

After taking life-saving measures to assist the victim of a vehicle crash, MCSO Work Farm Inmate Crew Leader Jose Torres was named the Manatee County Sheriff's Office Employee of the Year.

In May 2025, while returning home from work, Torres witnessed a vehicle crash on US 41 in Hillsborough County. Jose immediately pulled over and approached the driver, who seemed to be having a seizure.

Before he could assist, the driver became unresponsive. Aware of the critical situation, Jose checked for a pulse and found none. With the assistance of another bystander, they safely extracted the driver from the vehicle and began CPR.

Torres and the bystander continued their life-saving efforts until Hillsborough County Fire Rescue arrived and assumed care. EMS transported the victim to a nearby hospital, where it was learned that they survived largely due to the quick thinking and decisive actions of Jose.