Retirement calling: LCSO sergeant awarded for service

By Staff | Nov 5, 2014

MEL TOADVINE Sgt. David Murphy, far right, was honored at the Greater Lehigh Chamber of Commerce luncheon with a plaque, presented by Lt. Paul Cummins, middle, of the East District in Lehigh Acres.

Sgt. David Murphy came to the Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon last week as a guest of one of his commanders, Lt. Paul Cummins. Sitting at a table early before the meeting at the Hut restaurant, he said he didn’t know what to expect, but that he had come as a guest.

Little did Murphy know that he was to be honored which came as a great surprise to him when Cummins invited him to the stage after the luncheon.

Inke Baker, president and CEO of the chamber, said in a plaque that was presented to Murphy that he was being recognized for his 25 years of dedicated service to the citizens of Lee County, and Lehigh Acres, where he presently works.

But not for much longer.

Lt. Cummins announced his retirement on stage and Sgt. Murphy threw up his arms in surprise, showing his appreciation for the recognition for the chamber award.

MEL TOADVINE Sgt. David Murphy, right, raises his arms in joy, when he was surprised and honored at the Greater Lehigh Chamber of Commerce luncheon where it was announced he was retiring this week after two decades as a law enforcement officer. He was honored with a plaque, presented here by Lt. Paul Cummins, left, of the East District in Lehigh Acres.

He has served in many capacities with the agency, which include patrol duty, a traffic unit deputy, training unit supervisor and trainer, and a patrol supervisor. Murphy has done a lot of things while serving as an officer with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

His last day with the Sheriff’s Office will be Friday and as Murphy looks back, he says he has enjoyed every step of the way.

He started out as a corrections officer in 1989 and during that time he attended the Law Enforcement Academy, full time and graduated in 1991.

“I was transferred to the road patrol division after completing the field training process and began as a solo officer. For the next eight years, I worked patrol duties and took interest in training new officers and traffic enforcement,” Murphy said.

But he didn’t stop there.

Sgt. David Murphy

Around 1999, he said a part-time motor unit position became available and he was selected with special duties to enforce traffic laws half the shift and regular calls the second half.

“In 2000, a full-time motor officer position became available and I transferred to the traffic unit. Special emphases were to enforce traffic laws and conduct traffic crash investigations,” he said.

“And it was during that time in the traffic unit that I attended advanced traffic training and around 2002 moved to the DUI task force with emphases on driving under the influence and crash investigations.”

In 2003, Murphy attended a specialized school and became a drug recognition expert, which was a prestigious position for him.

Time has a way of moving on and in 2005, a promotional exam was taken for a sergeant’s position. He passed and later that year was promoted to sergeant.

“I was transferred from traffic to a precinct where the responsibilities consisted of daily roll calls, checking reports, supervising eight to 10 people per shift, and running day-to-day operations.

Two years later in 2007, Murphy was reassigned to the department’s Computer and Technology Division.

He said that in this unit, he was also in charge of newly acquired equipment, a mobile command vehicle with responsibility to outfit the truck with the latest technology and to respond with the Swat Team and hostage negotiations team to high-risk situations as a support role.

In 2008, during agency restructuring, he was transferred to the Training Unit.

“My area of responsibilities included firearms training, driver training and general training during the agency’s annual training sessions,” he said.

Murphy also oversaw the Field Training program and had the responsibility to prepare new recruits for the training program and record keeping.

In 2010, a request was made for reassignment back to the road patrol division where from 2012 to the present time, he worked as a road supervisor in two separate precincts. Duties remained to run shifts, monitor and mentor deputies and day-to-day operations.

He is currently in charge and supervising three separate units consisting of Juvenile Assessment Monitoring (JAM), Selective Enforcement Team (SET), Community Policing Unit, and he continues to oversee the Field Training Program.

“The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is very proud of this man,” Cummins, second in command at the East District Substation, said during the official presentation of the plaque from the chamber.

Murphy had a big smile on his face.

“I’ve enjoyed my career with law enforcement,” he said.

While he is working in Lehigh just prior to his retirement this week, he has been stationed in other areas and then back to Lehigh.

“It’s been a good life,” he said.

“But I didn’t know why I was a guest at the chamber luncheon,” he said. “But now I know why Lt. Cummings brought me here as guest.”

Inke Baker, the head of the chamber said she was very proud to recognize Murphy.

Every month, the chamber recognizes a deputy with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office who works in Lehigh. The recognition is usually for a specific incident where the officer showed expertise and knowledge in his or her as a lawman.

This was the first time that an officer has been honored for his years of outstanding work and retirement from the Sheriff’s Office.

Murphy said his last day with the Sheriff’s Office is Nov. 7.

“I believe, not sure yet, but I may be getting promoted to lieutenant as I retire,” Murphy said.

“Not bad for a young man who has spent more than two decades of his life working to protect the people of Lee County and Lehigh Acres,” Baker said.

“We really wish him well in whatever endeavors he plans now.”

And at the end of the program, Baker announced that the next chamber luncheon will be held on Dec. 2 at East Lee County High School in Lehigh. The date was changed from the last Tuesday of November due to the Thanksgiving holidays.

“The school is really looking forward in having us. They want to show us around and there will be tours,” she said. “You don’t want to miss this one coming up. For reservations members should call the chamber at 369-3322. Non-members are also invited to chamber luncheons and should also call to make nominations.

: MEL TOADVINE Sgt. David Murphy, right, raises his arms in joy, when he was surprised and honored at the Greater Lehigh Chamber of Commerce luncheon where it was announced he was retiring this week after two decades as a law enforcement officer. He was honored with a plaque, presented here by Lt. Paul Cummins, left, of the East District in Lehigh Acres.

: Sgt. David Murphy