Chamber recognizes actions of two deputies

By Staff | Mar 2, 2016

MEL TOADVINE Janna Johnson, left, director of nursing at Lehigh Regional Medical Center, was honored by the Greater Lehigh Chamber of Commerce as the Employee of the Month at the monthly meeting. The presentation was made by Stephanie Garrepy, marketing director for Gendron Funeral & Cremation Services.

Two deputies with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office were honored by the Greater Lehigh Chamber of Commerce during their monthly meeting last week.

The deputies were not on hand to receive their plaques, but LCSO officials said on Jan. 23, they responded to a 911 hang-up call that was believed to be a domestic dispute. When they arrived at the scene, the person who made the complainant attempted to downplay the situation and cancel the need for law enforcement involvement.

Also honored during the meeting was Jana Johnson, the director of nursing for the Lehigh Regional Medical Center.

Chamber members were told the deputies learned that a domestic incident had occurred in front of juveniles in the home. Deputies entered the home to conduct a safety sweep and to make sure there were no injured parties within the residence.

While conducting the safety sweep, they encountered an armed, highly agitated suspect barricaded in the master bathroom of the Lehigh Acres residence.

Detectives said the suspect began shouting at the deputies advising he was going to kill himself and was armed with a .45 caliber handgun. One deputy attempted to talk down the suspect, while holding his position in the master bedroom.

The suspect continued to threaten suicide and said he would shoot any law enforcement officer who attempted to open the bathroom door. The suspect continued to shout and threaten suicide by cop.

It was during this exchange that Sgt. Marcotte and Sgt. Richard utilized ballistic shields and tactically positioned themselves in the hallway leading to the bathroom.

LCSO Sgts. Marcotte and Richard and Deputy Roedding held lethal cover on the door and they attempted to communicate with the suspect to determine if was alone.

Marcotte took the lead on negotiating with the suspect who got more enraged, stating he would harm law enforcement, kill himself and would never go back to jail.

Marcotte continued to try and convince the suspect to calm down, by assuring him that things could be worked out without anyone getting hurt. Detectives said family members confirmed that the suspect was alone in the bathroom. He continued to taunt and rant, saying he needed to be taken seriously.

Chamber members were told that as negotiations continued, the suspect fired a single shot towards the deputies through the bathroom door.

Marcotte and Richard checked on Roedding to see if he was injured and confirmed none of them were hit by the round. Marcotte told everyone to hold fire and asked the suspect if he was still there. He said he was okay and asked if they believed him now.

Confirming the suspect was armed with a clear intent, Marcotte motioned to Richard to tactically fall back to a better position of cover in the master bedroom holding a visual on the door. Marcotte notified communications that shots had been fired and asked to begin the process of calling out the Special Operations Unit.

Deputies arrived on the scene and were equipped with a ballistic shield. Both units were briefed on the situation and on contingency actions of what to do if the suspect followed through with his threats to come out of the bathroom shooting at law enforcement.

Holding his position, Marcotte continued to talk to the suspect making every effort to try and persuade him to give up his weapon. Another deputy attempted to establish a rapport with the suspect who continued to threaten to come out of the bathroom shooting.

Authorities said that at that point, another shot was fired through the door at deputies The round hit the bed just feet away from their shields. Soon after, special operations unit arrived and relieved all units on the scene.

The suspect continued to fire at officers before taking his own life.

Authorities said it was with great pride that the law enforcement officers for putting their lives on the line while confronting a highly motivated armed assailant.

The group of chamber members, numbering around 75 people, gave a standing ovation to the officers that were involved.

Each month, an officer is honored by the chamber during a luncheon banquet.

The Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce also honored Johnson. She has been at LRMC for eight years and has held the position of director of nursing for more than four years.

Johnson was named Lehigh Regional Medical Center’s 2015 Clinical Director of the Year.

She received this honor for her dedication to ensuring that the nursing staff at LRMC delivers compassionate quality care to the hospital’s patients.

Stephanie Garrepy, marketing director of Gendron Funeral and Cremation Service, made the plaque presentation.