Deputy of the Month presentation: Deputy Robert Rabitt, left, was selected as the Deputy of the Month by the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce. In the middle is Capt. Ed Tamayo, commander of Bravo District in Lehigh, and at right is Joe Whalen, the president and CEO of the Chamber, who presented the award. Photo by Mel Toadvine

Capt. Ed Tamayo called Deputy First Class Robert Rabitt one of his finest workers in Bravo District in Lehigh Acres as he introduced him to receive the Deputy of the Month award from the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber’s monthly luncheon was held at the Majestic Golf Club on Homestead Rd. on Aug. 31. Tamayo oversees Bravo District from the substation on Lee Blvd.

Tamayo said Rabitt had been nominated by Detective Mike Cahill, who said that Rabitt’s work in processing a burglary case in July of 2009 brought results earlier this year and an arrest.

“Detective Cahill was processing the scene with Rabitt who was diligent at processing the burglary scene,” Tamayo said.

Rabitt noticed at the point of entry to the house that there was blood on the broken glass. He collected the evidence and sent it to the CODIS system in order to locate a match on a suspect.

Robert Rabitt

The federal CODIS Unit manages the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and the National DNA Index System (NDIS) and is responsible for developing, providing, and supporting the CODIS Program to federal, state, and local crime laboratories in the United States

“That’s the kind of man he is. He is a hard worker who knows how to go over a scene where a crime has taken place and in this case, it paid off.

Earlier this year, Cahill was told that there was a CODIS “hit” against a suspect identified as Vincent Lamar Brown in regards to the blood placed into evidence by Rabitt in July of 2009.

Tamayo said Rabitt noticed that Brown was at the time in custody and completed a body search warrant.

Brown denied committing the burglary but the lab conclusively matched his DNA.

Employee of the Month: James Golio of Joe’s Café, center was honored by the Lehigh Chamber as Employee of the Month. At left is his wife, Chasity and at right is Joe Whalen of the Chamber who made the presentation. Photo by Mel Toadvine

Tamayo said that because of the efforts of Deputy Rabitt, the suspect was charged with the crime.

Detective Cahill said the victim in this case had been very upset about this incident as it was the second burglary at her house, along with two prior attempts.

“She is now very happy with the outcome,” he said.

Tamayo also noted that in addition to this fine police work, Rabitt continually is one of the leaders in fighting crime within the Bravo District, which encompasses all of Lehigh Acres and much of eastern Lee county.

“He is constant in his efforts arresting both criminals and traffic violators. He is among the top 10 active patrol deputies, which due to his ongoing efforts and success in this DNA is the reason we submitted him as the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce’s Deputy of the Month. The award presentation was made by Joe Whalen, the Chamber’s president and CEO.

Member of the Month: Denise Stuckey of the Fountain Crest retirement community in Lehigh was honored by the Chamber as Member of the Month for Fountain Crest’s contributions to the Chamber. Photo by Mel Toadvine

Others who received citations at the Chamber luncheon included James Golio as Employee of the Month. He is employed in the family business of Joe’s Caf in the Lehigh Towne Center, a well-known site for a good breakfast in town. He does much of the cooking for his father and the crowd gave him a round of applause because he was known by most.

Also honored was Denise Stuckey of Fountain Crest retirement home as the Chamber’s Member of the Month for her contributions to the Chamber. She was also presented an award citation by Whalen, who was also the luncheon emcee.

The names of new members were announced at the luncheon. They included Adams Homes, Doug Patterson as an individual member; Lady in Pink Photography, Lehigh Acres Flea Market, Paramount Home Realty Group and U.S. Safety.

It was noted that the Chamber’s Fall Golf Tournament will be on Saturday, Oct. 2 with open registration at 7 a.m. and shotgun start at 8 a.m. The cost is $75 per player and $260 per foursome. Area businesses can be a hole sponsor for $75. Other sponsor opportunities are also available. Call 369-3322 for more information.

A portion of he proceeds for the golf tourney supports the Leadership & Character Award educational scholarship program which is distributed through the Lehigh Acres Chamber Foundation.