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Chamber recognizes efforts of deputies

By Staff | Dec 10, 2014

Christopher Lopez-Burnside

Three Lee County Sheriff’s deputies who work in Lehigh Acres and a local insurance executive have been honored by the Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce.

Inke Baker, the CEO and executive director of the chamber conducted the luncheon meeting at East Lee County High School in Lehigh on Dec. 2. Chamber members were invited to the school for the luncheon and then a tour of the school.

Lt. Paul Cummins, the assistant commander at the East Side Substation in Lehigh honored the three deputies for the way they handed a most unusual situation which could have caused their deaths.

He told the group that on the night of Oct. 3, the Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call in the area of 3900 6th St. W. in Lehigh from a caller who said a bloody, naked man was trying to break into his house and was ripping the screen door off the front entry way.

The caller reported that the man walked away from the house and hit the caller’s vehicle causing damage. Then the man went back to his home which was across the street and kicked open his own door.

Mickey Rosado

Then another 911 call came from a woman identifying herself as the man’s wife.

Deputies Michael Truscott and Christopher Lopez-Burnside arrived at the scene of the disturbance and were attacked by the man who stood six feet and 4 inches and weighed 270 pounds.

Cummins said the man was still was naked and he was bleeding profusely from the neck, but he wouldn’t let deputies take him into custody and he physically resisted their efforts for about eight minutes.

Deputies Mickey Rosado and Galdames arrived at the scene and were able to help the other deputies to get the man down and handcuff him and take him into custody. Galdames was unable to be at the luncheon.

The deputies said the man had what looked like self-inflicted cuts to his neck.

Michael Truscott

Paramedics were called to the scene and the man was taken to Lehigh Regional Medical Center where he later died.

When detectives from the Major Crimes Unit were called to the scene to take over the investigation, a search warrant was served on the man’s home and during the search inside, officers discovered a marijuana growing operation, bottles of anabolic steroids, and a homemade powerful hallucinogenic drug as well as several other items used in the making of it.

Cummins said blood was found in several areas of the house where he had cut his own throat.

Cummins also added that during interview with the man’s wife, she said her husband told her “I am going to die tonight,” prior to running outside and confronting deputies.

An autopsy was conducted on the man and the cause of death was ruled a suicide by caustic ingestion pending toxicology testing.

Teresa Goodlad

“This was one of the most unusual events we have had here for a long time. The man who had cut his own neck was big and he was fighting the deputies who were not his size and doing all they could to get control of the man, which did happen.

“Our deputies were not injured and they did nothing to cause his death,” Cummins said.

The three deputies came to the makeshift stage and were given framed citations while the members stood and applauded.

The chamber also honored Teresa Goodlad, a local insurance executive whose business bears her name, for all the work she has done as a supporter of local education in Lehigh for several years.

Chamber CEO Inke Baker noted that five years ago, she was instrumental in developing, securing, and maintaining a behavioral program at Lehigh Elementary School named “The Good Neighbor Program.”

MEL TOADVINE Lt. Paul Cummins, assistant commander at Lehigh’s East Zone, shown at left presented certificates of recognition to three deputies for their outstanding police work. They are from left to right after Cummins, Deputies Michael Truscott, Mickey Rosado, and Christopher Lopez-Burnside. A fourth deputy was not present for the ceremony.

It recognizes K through 5th grade students for making positive choices and going beyond expected behavior. In the program, students received shirts, bracelets, and recognition to be in a Good Neighbor club which allowed them to mentor other students and participate in community service.

“For four years now, she helped secure a grant for this school for $5,000 each year and through this program, she has paved the way for a positive future for our high schoolers,” Baker said.

At East Lee county High School, Goodlad has continued her commitment to these students.

“She has also supported student scholarships to further her impact on our students’ future,” Baker said.

Chamber recognizes efforts of deputies

By Staff | Dec 10, 2014

Christopher Lopez-Burnside

Three Lee County Sheriff’s deputies who work in Lehigh Acres and a local insurance executive have been honored by the Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce.

Inke Baker, the CEO and executive director of the chamber conducted the luncheon meeting at East Lee County High School in Lehigh on Dec. 2. Chamber members were invited to the school for the luncheon and then a tour of the school.

Lt. Paul Cummins, the assistant commander at the East Side Substation in Lehigh honored the three deputies for the way they handed a most unusual situation which could have caused their deaths.

He told the group that on the night of Oct. 3, the Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call in the area of 3900 6th St. W. in Lehigh from a caller who said a bloody, naked man was trying to break into his house and was ripping the screen door off the front entry way.

The caller reported that the man walked away from the house and hit the caller’s vehicle causing damage. Then the man went back to his home which was across the street and kicked open his own door.

Mickey Rosado

Then another 911 call came from a woman identifying herself as the man’s wife.

Deputies Michael Truscott and Christopher Lopez-Burnside arrived at the scene of the disturbance and were attacked by the man who stood six feet and 4 inches and weighed 270 pounds.

Cummins said the man was still was naked and he was bleeding profusely from the neck, but he wouldn’t let deputies take him into custody and he physically resisted their efforts for about eight minutes.

Deputies Mickey Rosado and Galdames arrived at the scene and were able to help the other deputies to get the man down and handcuff him and take him into custody. Galdames was unable to be at the luncheon.

The deputies said the man had what looked like self-inflicted cuts to his neck.

Michael Truscott

Paramedics were called to the scene and the man was taken to Lehigh Regional Medical Center where he later died.

When detectives from the Major Crimes Unit were called to the scene to take over the investigation, a search warrant was served on the man’s home and during the search inside, officers discovered a marijuana growing operation, bottles of anabolic steroids, and a homemade powerful hallucinogenic drug as well as several other items used in the making of it.

Cummins said blood was found in several areas of the house where he had cut his own throat.

Cummins also added that during interview with the man’s wife, she said her husband told her “I am going to die tonight,” prior to running outside and confronting deputies.

An autopsy was conducted on the man and the cause of death was ruled a suicide by caustic ingestion pending toxicology testing.

Teresa Goodlad

“This was one of the most unusual events we have had here for a long time. The man who had cut his own neck was big and he was fighting the deputies who were not his size and doing all they could to get control of the man, which did happen.

“Our deputies were not injured and they did nothing to cause his death,” Cummins said.

The three deputies came to the makeshift stage and were given framed citations while the members stood and applauded.

The chamber also honored Teresa Goodlad, a local insurance executive whose business bears her name, for all the work she has done as a supporter of local education in Lehigh for several years.

Chamber CEO Inke Baker noted that five years ago, she was instrumental in developing, securing, and maintaining a behavioral program at Lehigh Elementary School named “The Good Neighbor Program.”

MEL TOADVINE Lt. Paul Cummins, assistant commander at Lehigh’s East Zone, shown at left presented certificates of recognition to three deputies for their outstanding police work. They are from left to right after Cummins, Deputies Michael Truscott, Mickey Rosado, and Christopher Lopez-Burnside. A fourth deputy was not present for the ceremony.

It recognizes K through 5th grade students for making positive choices and going beyond expected behavior. In the program, students received shirts, bracelets, and recognition to be in a Good Neighbor club which allowed them to mentor other students and participate in community service.

“For four years now, she helped secure a grant for this school for $5,000 each year and through this program, she has paved the way for a positive future for our high schoolers,” Baker said.

At East Lee county High School, Goodlad has continued her commitment to these students.

“She has also supported student scholarships to further her impact on our students’ future,” Baker said.