Officer of the Month

Capt. Ronald Curtis, commander of the Lee County’s East Zone substation in Lehigh told Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce members that there are officers with a thorough knowledge of police work and often based on the odd things that they find out, it leads them to make an arrest. One such arrest by Sgt. Stephen Gehle in early October was one such incident and because of his quick thinking and dedication to his duties, he was named the Chamber’s Officer of the Month at the luncheon held Oct. 25.

“Law enforcement’s primary mandate is the protection of life and sometimes that mandate requires taking enforcement action under unusual circumstances in which the potential for harm to life and limb is high,” said Curtis.

“Armed, suspicious individuals always raise an officer’s awareness and suspicions and on Oct. 17 at midnight, Sgt. Gehle encountered just such an individual.”

The officer was sent to a home in the 4,000 block of 8th St. SW to investigate a suspicious person who was knocking on the door of a woman who called 911 to say she heard the voice of a white male demanding she open up as he banged over and over on her door. She said she was too afraid to look outside and called the Sheriff’s Office immediately.

When Gehle arrived at the scene, he found a man walking down the street behind the woman’s home. The man, who Curtis identified as 27-year-old Collin Blanscet, was wearing camouflage clothing and he was carrying a Ruger Mini 14 assault rifle.

Employee of the Month

The suspect told Gehle that he was walking down the road looking for a magazine of ammunition for his rifle that he may have dropped.

“But, then he added that he didn’t know why he was walking around the neighborhood carrying a rifle in the middle of the night, but he had just watching TV news and felt like he needed to walk around to protect himself.

Curtis said that based on the odd things Blanscet was saying, the time of the night, the place, and the manner in which the suspect was located, Gehle had an immediate concern for the safety of lives and property in the area and took protection action in bringing about Blanscet’s arrest. Curtis told the Chamber office that the officer wasn’t sure if he was going to have to use a weapon to subdue the suspect.

“Sgt. Gehle’s skills, abilities, and knowledge as a deputy sheriff are impressive and his investigation and apprehension of the suspect who was prowling in our neighborhoods while armed with an assault rifle was a fine example of excellent police work,” Curtis said.

Joining in the presentation of the award along with Curtis was Chamber President Joe Pearson.

Member of the Month

Two other people were honored at the chamber luncheon. They included:

Debra Shuman of Property Inspection Services, who was named the Chamber Member of the Month. Debra and her husband have been members of the chamber since 2003 and have shown on several occasions their dedication and support to the chamber.

“Beside volunteering for chamber events like the golf tournament, attending chamber networking events on a regular basis and donating prizes, Debra Shuman is vital for the creation of the Chamber Guide by successfully soliciting advertising to fellow chamber members. Without Debra’s hard work, it would be more difficult to produce the Chamber Guide. Debra’s accomplishing all this in a very professional way with a positive attitude that is affecting the people around her. It’s hard to resist her smile,” Pearson said in making the presentation.

Jane Losey, a nurse case manager at Lehigh Regional Medical Center was recognized as the Chamber’s Employee of the Month. She has served the Lehigh Acres community with compassion, integrity and excellence,” Pearson said.

She was nominated as Chamber Employee of the Month by Carol Misiolek, marketing director at Sterling House of Lehigh because of her outstanding work and professionalism in working together with Sterling House and its residents, Pearson said.

“Jane is also very involved in the community and an advocate for women and children. She has organized several charity fundraisers to support the community,” Pearson said.

Chamber members were told that the next meeting would be held on Nov. 29 at the Microtel Inn & Suites instead of the Majestic Golf Club, where it has met for the last few years. Pearson said there is no meeting in December or January and that the monthly luncheon would be held in February also at the Microtel Inn & Suites. The Chamber will hold a gala in January when new officers and directors will be installed.

New chamber members were welcomed at the luncheon. They included Clever Promotional Products, Crossroads Pet Hospital, Gulf Coast Mobile Notary Service and Market America Realty and Investment group.