published: Tuesday, March 12, 2013

VFW Post presents Deputy of the Year

Special to the News-Sun

SEBRING - On March 5, during the regular meeting of the Highlands County Board of County Commission, representatives of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4300 presented Highlands County Sheriff's Deputy Ken Jorgensen with their Deputy of the Year Award. Jorgensen was nominated for the award by his supervisor, Lt. Sean Casey.

In his letter of nomination, Casey noted that Jorgensen became a member of the Highlands County Sheriff's Office in 2010 following a previous career as a trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol. This previous experience made Jorgensen especially valuable to the Highlands County Sheriff's Office in the areas of traffic enforcement and traffic crash investigations. During his employment with the Sheriff's Office he has made himself available to other deputies by assisting them in completing traffic crash forms and helping to streamline the completion and filing of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) paperwork, according to public information officer Nell Hayes.

Since Jan. 1, 2012, Jorgensen has made 153 arrests including 30 for DUI, 19 other traffic related arrests, 64 for various property and personal crimes and he has served 40 arrest warrants. Casey noted that Jorgensen continually upholds the Mission of the Sheriff's Office by protecting life, property and individual rights while maintaining peace and order. He also pointed out that Jorgensen has an excellent attitude and seriousness toward his position as a deputy sheriff however his humorous side makes people at ease and comfortable.