MEL TOADVINE Stephanie Heinkel is recognized before the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce by Capt. James Leavens, center, and Chamber Emcee John Graham.

She wasn’t in a sheriff’s uniform and she wasn’t toting a gun, but according to Capt. James Leavens, the commander of Bravo district of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at the Lehigh Substation, Stephanie Heinkel runs the show and the local office of the Lee County Sheriff.

The Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce honored Heinkel, the Lehigh Substation’s civil supervisor, with a plaque at its monthly luncheon last week at the Majestic Golf Club.

Usually, the Chamber honors a uniformed deputy for some outstanding work he or she has done on the streets of Lehigh, apprehending what Sheriff Mike Scott calls the “bad guys.”

This is the first time that the Chamber has honored a civilian employee of the law enforcement agency.

Heinkel is close to being the “boss” at the substation because of all the responsibilities she has over the 63 deputies and nine detectives working in Lehigh.

“She’s the glue that keeps us all together,” Leavens said.

Stephanie Heinkel has been an employee of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office since 1995 and has worked her way through the civilian ranks from dispatch to her current position as civil supervisor at the Lehigh office.

“I would not be able to list the many functions Stephanie performs in the normal course of her day without turning this into a novel,” said Leavens.

“I have known Stephanie’s ability for years. In fact, when I was in charge of Internal Affairs and was in search of an administrative assistant, I tried to get Stephanie to transfer, but because of her commitment and dedication to the deputies and citizens of Lehigh, she turned me down,” Leavens said.

She has worked for four different captains in the Lehigh Brava District.

She is in charge of Leavens’ schedule and had to admit that she keeps tabs on him and makes sure he never misses a meeting.

I could go on and on about what she does, but she is the one who knows everything about our operations and keeps us alert,” he said.

Chamber Emcee John Graham made the presentation to Heinkel while Leavens looked on.

Meanwhile the Chamber also honored Gayle Morici of Panther Community Bank (now The First National Bank of the Gulf Coast) as Employee of the Month. She was not present to accept her award. She was thanked however for her involvement as chairman of the Chamber’s golf tournament.

Richard and Mary St. Dennis who own Signs in One Day were recognized as Members of the Month. They also were honored for their support of the golf tourney by preparing name badges and other items so much needed to make the tournament a success.

New members of the Chamber were named at the luncheon. They included the Fraternal Order Orioles Nest No. 223, MEDI Weightloss Clinic, Wallace Family Practice, Rosie’s Kitchen, Jackpot Junction Arcade, Urgent and Convenient Care Center and Michael J. Welch, a member of the board of the East County Water Control District (ECWCD).

The next Chamber luncheon is Nov. 24 at 11 a.m. at the Majestic Golf Club. Finally, tickets were drawn for those who attended the luncheon to take home the floral center pieces on each table that were prepared and donated by Lori Shopp of Bright Petals Florist.