Who:  
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
Detention and Corrections Bureau

Sheriff’s Advisory Board Executive Board

Bright House Networks Representatives:
Joe Durkin
Senior Director
Corporate Communications

John Dosher
Vice President and General Manager
Western Operations

Law Enforcement Award Recipient:
Sergeant Bryan Bingham
Age: 43
Hire Date: 08/02/1999

Detention and Corrections Award Recipient:
Corporal Bronson Taylor
Age: 39
Hire Date: 09/30/2002

What:
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has launched its new “Deputy of the Quarter Bright Star Award” program which will honor one law enforcement deputy and one detention deputy who have gone above and beyond in the performance of their duties. The award was established with the support of the Sheriff’s Advisor Board Executive Board and in partnership with Bright House Networks.

When:
The first deputies were honored at 8:00 a.m. on May 7, 2015 during a Sheriff’s Advisory Board breakfast.

Where:
The event was held at the Sheriff’s Administration Building located at 10750 Ulmerton Road in Largo.

Why:
In an effort to regularly honor deputies who have gone above and beyond in the performance of their duties, the Sheriff’s Office has partnered with Bright House and with the support of the Sheriff’s Advisory Board established the Bright Star Award.

The award honors one law enforcement deputy and one detention deputy each quarter.

The first recipients of the Bright Star Award were honored May 7, 2015 during a Sheriff’s Advisory Board meeting held at the Sheriff’s Administration Building.

Sheriff Bob Gualtieri presented Sergeant Bryan Bingham and Corporal Bronson Taylor with the distinction, which included a plaque presentation. Additionally, Joe Durkin and John Dosher of Bright House Networks presented each with a certificate for three months free cable, phone and high speed internet services. The two winners were selected from several nominees from around the agency.

Sergeant Bingham was honored for his actions on St. Pete Beach where he was able to single-handedly and safely subdue two unruly intoxicated subjects. While faced with multiple factors against him to include, the heat, the crowd, and the drinking, Sergeant Bingham was able to detain the individuals and prevent a potentially volatile situation from escalating. Sergeant Bingham's actions were captured on video, prompting media attention from around the world, interviews, and speaking engagements. He has additionally received multiple commendations locally and from around the country since the incident occurred.

Corporal Bronson was honored for his consistent display of professionalism in the fulfillment of his duties. Corporal Bronson, who has been with the Sheriff’s Office for nearly 13 years is known to always assist his co-workers no matter how unpleasant the task or how  busy he is with his own workload. Most importantly he is regarded for consistently exuding a positive, cheerful attitude which is infectious to those around him. Corporal Taylor sets the bar for his fellow deputies and leads by example stopping problems before they begin; and de-escalating situations by calming inmates with his unique way of addressing them.

Nominations for the Bright Star Award can be submitted by anyone, other than the nominee, for a single act or an ongoing pattern of performance. The nominator shall detail why the nominee should be considered; and the Sheriff’s Advisory Board Executive Board reviews and selects the winner.

The next Bright Star Award nomination submissions are due by June 30, 2015 for an August presentation.

From L to R Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, Sergeant Bryan Bingham, Joe Durkin and John Dosher

From L to R Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, Corporal Bronson Taylor, Joe Durkin and John Dosher