Three Clermont Police Officers were recognized at a recent Clermont City Council Meeting for outstanding service to the community. Clermont Police Chief Charles Broadway presented the distinguished honors to the officers.
Officer Sean Coons and Brian Rebando Receive Life Saving Award
Early morning on On October 22, 2020, at 0512 hours Officer Coons and Officer Rebando responded to a call of an adult who was non-responsive in a shed. Upon arrival Officer Rebando assessed the adult and began to administer CPR after no vitals were detected. Officer Coons then began performing chest compressions on the adult while Officer Rebando proceeded to cut the subject’s shirt to utilize the AED. The AED assessed the adult and advised no shock required and Officer Rebando started another set of chest compressions until EMS arrived on the scene.
The CPD received correspondence from EMS personnel and hospital staff that the actions taken by the Police officers on scene saved his life. At the time of the correspondence, the adult was unable to talk and was on a ventilator and still unconscious.
Several days later, Officer Rebando was contacted by the victim’s mother informing us that her son was alive and being released from the hospital.
Clermont Police Officer Ethan Bell Received the Police Officer of the Year Award
Officer Bell has been employed with the Clermont Police Department for 8 years and is currently assigned to the Traffic Division. He is always willing to come in on his days off or alter his personal schedule to meet the needs of the agency.
Officer Bell is also responsible for Traffic Homicide Investigations.
In 2020 he responded to an investigation while off–duty. On this particular incident, he was made aware of a fatality and decided he would respond to assist. Due to being at the gym working out and in gym clothes, he went to a local department store, purchased appropriate clothes and responded to the scene to assist a fellow Officer to investigate a traffic homicide. This act and gesture was voluntary and is indicative of Officer Bell’s character and a prime example of one of our core values, “Service Above Self”.
On January 14, 2021, Officer Bell responded to an alleged narcotics-related overdose death that occurred within the city limits of Clermont. Officer Bell continued to investigate the incident for approximately 2 months. At the conclusion of his investigation, Officer Bell was able to obtain an arrest warrant for the suspect for a first-degree murder and/or death charge caused by the unlawful distribution of fentanyl.
Last but certainly not least, Officer Bell and his wife are members of Kid Central, an organization that works in partnership with the Dept. of Children & Families in Lake and Sumter County, to help find temporary placement of foster children with qualifying families. The Bell family has taken custody of 2 foster children ages 7 years old and a newborn.
Officer Bell expressed his desire to officially adopt these children if the situation presents itself. This noble act of thinking about the welfare of others over his own personal affairs speaks volumes of Officer Bell and his commitment to his community and the success and well-being of others.
His desire to help those less fortunate is present not only in his professional life but in his personal life as well.
