2019 Dispatcher o the Year
Alachua County Communications Supervisor Selected as the Florida Sheriffs Association 2019 Dispatcher of the Year
Tallahassee, Fla. (January 22, 2019) – The Florida Sheriffs Association is pleased to announce that Communications Supervisor Jefferson Andress of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office has been selected as the 2019 Dispatcher of the Year. Each year, the award is presented at the FSA Winter Conference to an officer who has demonstrated exceptional service in the line of duty. The award is sponsored by Harris Corporation.
Andress has exemplified leadership, diligence and heroic qualities in the workplace during his nine-year tenure with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. He was promoted in 2017 to Communications Supervisor where he oversees and guides shifts of ten to 15 telecommunicators. In addition to working on the agency’s communication team, he recently obtained his Heart Saver certification.
Andress was recognized as the Combined Communications Center Employee of the Month in March of 2018 for his heroic efforts to save the life of a newborn. The grandmother of the child was driving him to the hospital but only made it to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office before the baby went into respiratory arrest. Andress overheard the panicked call taken by another employee and sprinted across the parking lot to assist the grandmother and family in reviving the child. He successfully restored the newborn’s breathing and vitals by the time the EMS arrived.
He is also dedicated and diligent in critical situations. In April of 2018, Andress was sent to Gilchrist County to assist with Critical Stress Incident Management after the murders of a Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office sergeant and deputy. He assisted with debriefing employees and relieved many dispatchers for almost a week to allow time to mourn the loss of their fallen teammates.
In May of 2018, he was once again recognized for his fortitude as the primary dispatcher during a manhunt for a murder suspect. The search lasted throughout most of Andress’ 12-hour shift and beyond. Andress was proactive throughout the majority of the search resulting in a successful capture of the homicide suspect.
Again, in June of 2018, Andress was recognized for his quick-thinking when he saved a victim of domestic violence by bringing her inside the Combined Communications Center. He comforted and calmed the woman even after law enforcement arrived to manage the case.
“Mr. Andress knows the value of feeling noticed; the priority he places on that concept has made a significant impact on morale in the center,” said Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell. “This is such a strong component of his ethics that he often has difficulty accepting the praise that he rightfully earns and deserves.”
“Jeff demonstrates leadership by example,” said Commander Brandi Cartee. “He is our role model, and that is critically important to us.”
The Florida Sheriffs Association Dispatcher of the Year Award is proudly sponsored by Harris Corporation. During the annual winter conference banquet, Andress was given a standing ovation from the 500-plus law enforcement attendees and their supporters.
Harris Corporation is one of the state’s largest technology innovators, with 6,500 employees operating in 15 Florida locations. The company provides solutions to public safety customers nationwide, including the Florida Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System, P25 and Land Mobile Radio systems for more than 20 Florida counties, the MyFloridaNet-2 network, the Miami-Dade County public safety communications system, and Florida Power and Light’s critical communications network.
Watch Supervisor Andress’ video here: https://youtu.be/6XpVx_pKrbE
