{"id":61710,"date":"2025-11-26T16:54:15","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T16:54:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/61710\/"},"modified":"2025-11-26T16:54:15","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T16:54:15","slug":"first-responders-honored-for-their-service-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/61710\/","title":{"rendered":"First responders honored for their service"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n
\n
\n \/
\n
\n <\/a>
\n
\n
\n <\/p>\n

1 \/ 3<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Cape Coral Police Department\u2019s 2024 Officer of the year is Detective Michael Lasalandra.
\nPROVIDED<\/p>\n

2 \/ 3<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Cape Coral Fire Department\u2019s 2024 Firefighter of the Year went to Fire Engineer\/Driver Brandon Petkus.
\nPROVIDED<\/p>\n

3 \/ 3<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The LCSO 2024 Deputy of the Year is Captain Paul Nader.
\nPROVIDED<\/p>\n

<\/a>
\n <\/a><\/p>\n

[expand]<\/p>\n

close
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/p>\n

Local first responders were honored Thursday night at FOS Furniture in Cape Coral, as their Business After Hours event again paid homage to those who protect and serve.<\/p>\n

Members of the Cape Coral Police Department, Cape Coral Fire Department, and Lee County Sheriff\u2019s Office were invited to the awards presentation based on their service that were selected by their individual departments.<\/p>\n

The annual event features food, drink, door prizes, all put on by FOS Furniture and the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is one of our favorite Business After Hours events of the year,\u201d said Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral CEO and President Donna Germain prior to the unique After Hours. \u201cToo often, we take for granted the incredible challenges our first responders face each and every day. Simply showing up to work means stepping into the unknown.<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir courage, sacrifice, and commitment to keeping our community safe do not go unnoticed. We are truly honored to partner with FOS every year to recognize and celebrate them. It\u2019s a small way for us to say thank you for everything they do.\u201d<\/p>\n

FOS owner Pat Corlew, who has long hosted the event, took a similar view.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the perfect time of the year to honor local first responders we have so many things to be thankful for, like no hurricanes this year,\u201d he said as the business prepared to host what has become an annual tradition. \u201cOur city is growing and we have some of the best, hardworking, and well-trained first responders in the country for this we are fortunate and thankful. This is the 24th year hosting this award night at FOS Furniture and we look forward to this each year just to let them know how much they all are appreciated by the business community for the good work they do keeping our city and county safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Germain added, \u201cFirst responders put themselves in harm\u2019s way every day to protect others. They face emergencies, trauma, and danger not occasionally, but as a routine part of their work. Recognition is a way to acknowledge this incredible sacrifice and to let them know that their efforts are seen, valued, and appreciated. At events like Business After Hours and others throughout the year, taking time to celebrate and thank these heroes helps reinforce Cape Coral\u2019s identity as a strong, compassionate, and resilient community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those honored are traditionally recognized for their efforts from the previous year. Honorees for 2024 are:<\/p>\n

CCPD Officer of the Year<\/p>\n

The Cape Coral Police Department\u2019s 2024 Officer of the year is Detective Michael Lasalandra.<\/p>\n

With more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, including decades of dedicated service in Cape Coral\u2019s Violent Crimes Unit, CCPD officials said \u201cDetective Lasalandra embodies professionalism, perseverance, and commitment to justice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Known for his trademark phrase, \u201cpile it on,\u201d Lasalandra tackles the most complex cases without hesitation, CCPD officials said, demonstrating \u201can unmatched work ethic and a relentless drive to serve the community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lasalandra\u2019s investigative skills, attention to detail, and problem-solving ability have been instrumental in brining closure to victims and families, CCPD officials said. <\/p>\n

\u201cHis tireless efforts and unwavering dedication make him a true asset to the department and a role model for others in the profession,\u201d CCPD officials continued.<\/p>\n

CCFD Firefighter of the Year <\/p>\n

The Cape Coral Fire Department\u2019s 2024 Firefighter of the Year went to Fire Engineer\/Driver Brandon Petkus. <\/p>\n

\u201cEngineer Petkus demonstrates extraordinary dedication by taking every opportunity to improve himself and others,\u201d CCFD officials stated. \u201cHe pursued advanced training, taught at a local fire academy, earned the designation of the CCFD\u2019s only certified burn master, became a Fire Field Training Officer, and promoted to Fire Engineer\/Driver.\u201d<\/p>\n

CCFD officials said Petkus\u2019 most significant contribution is his leadership in facilitating the department\u2019s new hire cases. <\/p>\n

\u201cHis passion and pride are evident in the high standards he upholds while teaching and mentoring our recruits,\u201d CCFD officials said. \u201cHis influence ensures that new firefighters are prepared for the job and understand the values and expectations of the CCFD. He creates a strong foundation these firefighters can build on for the rest of their career.\u201d<\/p>\n

Petkus shows a willingness to help and train extends to shift works as well, CCFD officials said, where he shows enthusiasm for the job. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe consistently goes above and beyond, updating himself and others on the latest best practices,\u201d CCFD officials said. \u201cHis spirit of teamwork and humility make him a trusted role model within our department. Engineer Petkus\u2019 journey with the CCFD reflects a level of perseverance and dedication that inspires those around him and strengthens our department.\u201d <\/p>\n

LCSO 2024 Deputy of the Year<\/p>\n

The LCSO 2024 Deputy of the Year is Captain Paul Nader.<\/p>\n

During an attempted bank robbery in February of 2025, Nader saved the lives of Bank Of America employees by eliminating a deadly threat. <\/p>\n

According to LCSO, a man entered a Bank of America lobby just after 11 a.m. and yelled aloud that he was about to rob the bank, and was armed with a gun and a bomb. <\/p>\n

The suspect instructed two bank tellers to empty their drawers, brandishing a box cutter, but LSCO was nearly on the scene. When LCSO Patrol deputies arrived, they cornered the suspect without an avenue of escape, but he took the two tellers as hostages. <\/p>\n

While the LCSO Special Operations Unit began to position themselves at the scene, the Hostage Negotiation Team attempted to keep the suspect calm and instructed him to release the hostages. <\/p>\n

As the situation progressed, Nader was called to action. He is a Special Operations Unit sniper with more than 25 years of law enforcement experience, 15 being with LCSO. <\/p>\n

\u201cNader recognized that the situation was becoming increasingly more likely that (the suspect) planned to harm the hostages,\u201d LCSO officials stated, adding that the suspect was becoming \u201cincreasingly belligerent, physically grabbing the hostages and shoving them in front of any law enforcement vantage point.\u201d<\/p>\n

LCSO Sheriff Carmine Marceno was at the scene, and authorized the use of deadly force, confirming to Nader to shoot the hostage taker as soon as circumstances permitted. <\/p>\n

With little time to prepare, Nader sought the assistance of Special Operations Unit Operator Matt Ansell and instructed him to remain still as he placed his sniper rifle on Ansell\u2019s shoulder and began to make calculations to eliminate the suspect. <\/p>\n

The hostage taker continued to rant, refusing to release any hostage, and then grabbed the female bank teller, placed her in a headlock, and presented the box cutter and began to go for her neck and throat area. <\/p>\n

\u201cNader, without hesitation, knew (the female teller\u2019s) life was about to be taken,\u201d LCSO officials stated. \u201cWith only a portion of (the suspect\u2019s) face visible, obscured by a flat screen computer monitor and (the teller\u2019s) face now pressed against the left cheek of (the suspect), Nader fired one round, striking (the suspect) just below his left eye, killing him instantly.\u201d<\/p>\n

The hostages were immediately taken away from the scene, successfully rescued unharmed. <\/p>\n

\u201cSheriff Marceno is extremely proud of Captain Nader\u2019s courage, confidence and dedication to his craft that saved the lives of (the hostages),\u201d LCSO officials stated. <\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s note: To meet our print deadline for this timely story, this article was prepared in advance of this year\u2019s event with interviews conducted via email and phone.<\/p>\n


\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \/ 1 \/ 3 The Cape Coral Police Department\u2019s…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":61711,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[209,211,210],"class_list":["post-61710","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cape-coral","tag-cape-coral","tag-cape-coral-headlines","tag-cape-coral-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61710","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61710"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61710\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/61711"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61710"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61710"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61710"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}