Smith was taken into custody during a coordinated operation at 1130 Linton Court, Unit A, the same location where the homicide occurred on May 20, 2026. The arrest was completed without incident, and Smith was transported to the Lake County Jail, where he was booked on a charge of First-Degree Murder.

The investigation began on May 20, when Clermont Police officers responded to reports of a shooting at the residence. Upon arrival, officers discovered Rodriguez, 47, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds inside the home. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to investigators, Rodriguez, a close associate of Smith, had been staying at the residence for several weeks prior to the shooting. During the initial investigation, detectives recovered the suspected murder weapon—an AR-style pistol chambered in .223/5.56 caliber.

Smith was detained and interviewed by detectives on the evening of the incident. During that interview, he claimed he had acted in self-defense following a verbal altercation with Rodriguez earlier in the day. At the time, investigators had not identified witnesses or obtained evidence sufficient to contradict Smith’s account. As a result, Smith was released while detectives continued their investigation.

Over the following weeks, Clermont Police detectives conducted an extensive investigation that included numerous interviews, the execution of multiple search warrants, and the issuance of several subpoenas. Working closely with the State Attorney’s Office for Florida’s Fifth Judicial Circuit, investigators pursued additional leads and analyzed forensic evidence.

As the investigation progressed, detectives developed probable cause to believe the shooting was not justified. Based on the evidence gathered, an arrest warrant was issued charging Smith with First-Degree Murder under Florida Statute 782.04(1)(a)(1).

Smith was arrested and remains in custody pending further judicial proceedings. Rodriguez’s next of kin have been notified.

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The Clermont Police Department will soon be adding a new addition to its rolling stock of patrol vehicles with the unveiling of the department’s first set of electronic bicycles, better known as e-bikes.

Police Chief John Grazcyk invited the public to attend a demonstration ceremony at Waterfront Park on Tuesday, May 5^th. The new program, funded with forfeiture assets, will begin right away with police officers who have been formally trained in the use and techniques for law enforcement e-bikes. “The first phase of the program will be education versus enforcement. We want to teach the public how to ride their own e-bikes safely. We want to ensure that the riders know the laws and safety practices of e-bike usage,” says Chief Graczyk.

A recent increase in e-bike usage has spawned complaints about youth riding bikes in an unsafe manner along the South Lake Fitness Trail and the streets of historic downtown Clermont, especially during special events. Complaints of “popping wheelies”, unsafe speed, and running stop signs have been the largest complaint, according to Chief Graczyk.

The program will include two department-operated e-bikes initially, with a trial period to determine the need for additional bikes. The e-bikes will be used for routine patrols and speed enforcement on the fitness trail and downtown streets. E-bikes, which are equipped with integrated electric motors that assist with propulsion, can travel at speeds up to 30 MPH. Speed enforcement will be conducted with both stationary and patrol-style detection systems.

The Clermont Police Department is the first agency in the southern portion of Lake County to implement e-bikes for enforcement and patrol techniques. The two Clermont police bike operators will have the capability to talk to nearby e-bike users through technology within the headgear safety helmets. The helmets contain built-in communication systems that allow riders to stay connected with others while riding. Brands like Sena and Aleck offer smart helmets that integrate Bluetooth technology for hands-free communication and music streaming.

Chief Graczyk points out the fact that state legislation is catching up to the e-bike craze with new safety statutes and regulations that will take effect on July 1^st. “Riders need to understand that e-bike operators are bound to the same traffic laws that motorists of common vehicles are bound to, plus additional regulations directed at e-bike operators,” says Chief Graczyk.

Starting July 1, 2026, new Florida e-bike laws will enforce a speed limit of 10 mph on sidewalks or pedestrian areas when within 50 feet of a person. Additionally, riders must yield to pedestrians and provide an audible signal before passing in shared spaces. Violations can result in traffic infractions, which carry a penalty of $30. Riders and parents of underage riders are encouraged to familiarize themselves with Florida State Statutes regulating e-bike use.

Contact the Clermont Police Department at 352-394-5588 for additional information or questions regarding e-bike safety.

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The Clermont Police Department has been an accredited law enforcement agency through the State of Florida Commission for Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) since 2004. With that accreditation, the department takes great strides in ensuring that its officers receive the latest training in technology, de-escalation techniques, tactics, use of force, and strategies, just to name a few.

The department maintains a full-time training unit composed of in-house trainers who are, at a minimum, certified in firearms training, defensive tactics, law enforcement vehicle operations, search techniques, and legal updates. The training division is also responsible for the assignment and monitoring of new officers and their trainers in the field training portion of new-hire training.

With that training, the department also takes extra steps in providing the necessary technology required to not only keep officers safer but also provide additional options for those officers to de-escalate violent people in hostile situations with an effort to minimize injuries to both the officer and the suspect. One such option is the recently introduced Axon Taser 10 energy weapon. The taser has a 10-cartridge capability and also allows for a longer range, up to 45 feet, of capability when deployed. The increase from the previous 25-foot capacity provides more time and space for decision-making by the officer and a reduction in risk for everyone involved.

Along with the 10-cartridge capability, compared to the previous 4-cartridge ability, the new taser also has a differing sound tone when a good connection is made, alerting the officer that he or she is on target. Individually targeted probes dramatically improve accuracy and effectiveness, expanding the situations in which the taser can be utilized.

Representatives from Axon proclaim that the “Axon Taser 10 ushers in the potential for a less-lethal future, and we are confident it will be a key factor in helping to cut gun-related deaths between police and the public by 50% in the next 10 years.” Research has shown that ineffective taser deployments can result in an escalation to lethal force and that over 80% of officer-involved shootings occur within a 40-foot range.

In addition to the new tasers, the Clermont Police Department has included the Axon Virtual Reality  training package and Axon Network technology. The innovative training allows the entire department to be trained in-house, therefore eliminating travel costs, overtime and staff shortages that are often accrued when officers are required to travel to outside training sites.

Clermont Police Sergeant Ethan Bell and Lt. Daniel Moser provided a demonstration of the virtual training. Officers are equipped with virtual reality headsets that provide random scenarios for use of force and de-escalation situations. The scenarios can be monitored by nearby training staff through a standard tablet or computer screen. “The training allows officers to gain confidence and accuracy, while enhancing the officer’s proficiency. The training also helps officers to improve use-of-force decision-making while also practicing de-escalation techniques,” says Sgt. Bell.

The Axon Network function connects the Taser 10 to body-worn cameras and in-car cameras, as well as a real-time operations platform. The additional capabilities ensure that agencies never miss a critical moment on their cameras and increase visibility that supports greater transparency and accountability. The program also includes a real-time records productivity software suite that helps officers save time on compiling reports.

Another critical component of the software is the “smart holster” technology. The Taser 10 has an onboard sensor that pairs with certified holsters, allowing the Taser 10 to detect when it has been removed from a holster. Taser 10 logs the holster event and emits a wireless signal to alert local body cameras in the vicinity to begin recording. The department also requires that each officer relinquish body camera and taser memory cartridges to a secure portal in the police station that locks when the cartridge is inserted. The data is retained for a variety of reasons, including court purposes and citizen complaint investigations.

The Clermont Police Department provides extensive training opportunities for its officers, including a fully equipped, in-house workout gym that allows officers to stay fit and capable of handling the strenuous job requirements that they face on a daily basis.

Visit www.ClermontFl.gov/262/police-department for a full listing of career opportunities, accreditation information, and community activities.

(Some of the photos courtesy of Axon Inc.)

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The Clermont Police Department (CPD) will soon be evaluated for state re-accreditation, Police Chief John Graczyk announced today.

A team of assessors from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) plans to arrive March 31^st to examine all aspects of the CPD’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services. The Clermont Police Department has received the accreditation continuously since 2004, and it lasts for three years at a time.

The department must comply with over 230 standards in order to receive accredited status. Many of the standards are critical to life, health, and safety issues.

As part of the onsite assessment, agency members and the public are invited to offer comments to the assessment team. A copy of the standards may be requested through Clermont Police Department’s Public Information Officer at 352-536-8412.

For more information regarding CFA or for people wishing to offer written comments about the Clermont Police Department’s ability to meet the standards of accreditation, please write CFA, P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, FL 32302, or email info@flaccreditation.org.

The assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar agencies who will review written materials, interview people; and visit offices and other places they can observe compliance, said CPD Accreditation Program Manager Desiree Cicco.

CFA Assessment Team Leader Pam Steelman, of the Florida Sheriff’s Association, will be joined by team members Meshelle Long, of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement; and Antonio Dominguez, of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Once the commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they report to the full commission, who will decide if the agency will receive accredited status.

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The Clermont Police Department hosted the first of two Community Engagement meetings on Monday, March 2^nd. The meeting, held at the City of Clermont’s Arts and Recreation Center on US-27, intended to bring informative conversation and dialogue to the citizens that the department serves.

Police Chief John Graczyk led the meeting with a question-and-answer session that included the department’s five-year strategic plan. “The police department is currently revising its mission statement and redeveloping our current objectives to meet the needs of the community – a community that has seen rapid growth and will likely see further growth in the coming years,” says Chief Graczyk.

The current per capita plan calls for 2.5 police officers per 1,000 people. The City of Clermont’s estimated population since the last US Census poll is believed to be 56,000 citizens within the city limits of Clermont. One of Chief Graczyk’s top concerns is keeping up with the growth in a manner that will continue to deliver state-of-the-art services to the citizens of Clermont.

“A critical part of our strategic plan is to make the plan a living document per se. A document and plan that can change as needs change. A plan that can be revised in a moment’s notice when unusual circumstances, such as the Covid incident in 2020 arise,” says Chief Graczyk.

Questions from citizens included the recent ebike concerns in the historical downtown area of Clermont and the fitness trail along Lake Minneola. “We are a proactive department and when we heard of the alleged ebike takeover of downtown, our department took swift action to deter that effort. Those efforts will continue and will include the fitness trail issue of speeding ebikes,” says Chief Graczyk.

Additional questions included response times to emergency calls, especially with the addition of Wellness Way, a large mixed-use development in the recently annexed southeast portion of Clermont. Chief Graczyk explained the plan to add additional officers to maintain service for the growing area. Those plans include a police substation that will be within the walls of the new Clermont fire station that will service the Wellness Way area.

Plans are underway to add a full-time social media and public information person to the police department staff. Immediate communication with the public is an area that the department recognizes as needing improvement. The position is currently staffed by a police officer who is often busy with other work-related obligations. Chief Graczyk explained that this will be a budgetary discussion later this year when budget plans for the upcoming year are underway.

The department recently added two indoor drone devices to its array of crime fighting tools. A $50,000 grant obtained through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement purchased the drones that can be used for real time indoor remote surveillance and searches. The drone is complete with a perch mode that allows the drone to rest on the floor or other conducive places within a building. This mode allows officers on the exterior of the building to get a visual of the inside from a safe distance.  

The drone was recently used at a closed business where an active burglar alarm was reporting a break in. Responding officers found a breach of the building upon their arrival and utilized the drone to search the interior of the building without putting officers in immediate danger. The building was secured after the drone found no active movement and officers on scene made a secondary building search of the premises. “These are the types of programs that we want the community to know about. Programs that help keep them and our officers safe,” says Chief Graczyk.

The department is also taking steps to strengthen relationships with area Homeowners Associations and residents. Chief Graczyk reemphasized the importance of “see something-say something.” A simple slogan that encourages citizens to report unusual behavior or suspicious incidents to law enforcement.

The townhall style meeting was also a step in the direction of education according to Chief Graczyk. Efforts are being made to strengthen existing plans of youth interaction throughout the community. A series of teen related activities last summer are on the planned agenda again this year during the summer season school break. “We want our youth to know that we are here for them and are to help, if we can. We have staff that specialize in crisis intervention situations, including problems that affect our young and seasoned citizens alike.

The Clermont Police Department will host its second Community Engagement meeting on Monday, March 9^th, 6 pm at the Clermont City Center, 620 W. Montrose Street. A survey that is available at the end of the meeting is also available through March 27^th at https://www.Clermont.Fl.gov.

The survey is a short questionnaire that asks Clermont residents to prioritize categories that outline public safety issues, communication and trust building tactics, and a quality-of-service rating of the Clermont Police Department.

You can learn what’s happening in your city by attending the meeting on Monday, March 9. 

Visit https://www.ClermontFl.gov/262/police-department or Facebook page Clermont Police Department (FL) for additional information.

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The Clermont Police Department (CPD) held its bi-monthly Coffee with a Cop, a community relations event, on Wednesday, February 18th at the Foxtail Coffee Co., 2608 US-27 South, Clermont. Coffee with a Cop is a program designed to enhance community member relationship with law enforcement officers and the citizens of the communities that they serve. Businesses throughout the area often host the Coffee with a Cop program to exhibit not only support of the community but also support of the local first responders in the community. It also provides a neutral location for real conversations about issues that matter.

Among many of the topics discussed, the recent story of Ernest Joe Manzanares, a missing local man whose partial remains were discovered in 2009, and recently identified by modern day forensics testing, was a fresh topic addressed by Clermont Police Captain Malcolm Draper. Capt. Draper stated that information calls have been numerous since the recent media release and encouraged anyone with even the slightest information to please contact the Clermont Police Department.

Manzanares was reported missing by family members in Ocoee during the summer of 1988. The case had grown cold over the years until recently when a series of state-of-the-art forensics tests revealed human remains found in 2009 at present day Hiawatha Park in Clermont, were in fact the remains of Manzanares.

 Anyone with any information is asked to contact Capt. Malcolm Draper at 352-536-8412 or mdraper@clermontfl.org.

 Some guests inquired about the department’s hiring status and academy eligibility requirements for police officer positions. Certified police officers begin at a salary of $65,405 with an increase for prior experience. The department also offers a take-home vehicle program, maintains specialized units within the department, and has a 20-year retirement plan plus health benefits packages.

Police cadet academy sponsorship positions are available through a candidate selection process. The Clermont Police Department will pay cadets an hourly wage while they are enrolled in the police academy. Interested people may inquire further at www.joincpdfl.com.

Other headline topics included the annual “Honoring the Fallen 5K” on Saturday, February 21^st. Hosted by the Clermont Police Department and sponsored by DASH Sports of Clermont, the annual fundraiser takes place in the heart of beautiful downtown Clermont. Formerly known as the Conrad Buckley Legacy Scholarship 5K, this year’s event honors the 80 law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2025.

The 6^th annual event has traditionally been a sellout each year and this year is no exception. Participant levels have increased each year with this year’s entry cap being raised to 670 participants. “At this time, we have 650 registered participants with an anticipated full house by this Friday,” says Clermont Police Sergeant Erin Razo.

All proceeds and donations benefit local chapters of Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) and the Code 4 initiative, both of which provide critical support to police officers and their families in times of critical need.

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The CPD will be hosting two additional “Stuff A Cruiser” opportunities in the coming days. The next day of giving is scheduled for December 8th, from 3-6 pm at the Belk Store, 270 Citrus Tower Boulevard. In support of bringing holiday cheer to our seniors in need, participants are encouraged to donate new, unwrapped items such as clothing, slippers, toiletries, and blankets to help fill the cruiser with gifts for our senior community members.

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At the Clermont Police Department on Thursday, September 25, a group of officers, agents, and investigators gathered for a planned enforcement operation. But before the day began, they paused to listen to the voice of a grieving sister.

Kathleen Dial stood before the room, holding back emotion as she shared the story of her younger sister, Margaret “Meg” Caldwell. Only 29 years old, Meg lost her life in November 2024 after years of dependency on nitrous oxide purchased from local smoke shops.

What began as a habit grew into a devastating addiction. Known on the street as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide can deplete the body of vitamin B-12, leading to neurological damage and paralysis. In Meg’s case, it stole her health, her independence, and ultimately, her life.

“She could walk into almost any smoke shop and buy it—no questions asked,” Kathleen told the group. “We begged the shops not to sell to her, but they said, ‘She’s of legal age. We’re selling legal things.’ We felt totally helpless.”

Meg’s dependency was all-consuming. Family members estimate she spent up to $400 a day on nitrous oxide, sometimes vaping what she had just purchased in the parking lot before going back inside for more. Despite attempts at rehabilitation, her struggle spiraled out of control. On November 24, 2024, Meg was found alone in her car near an Orlando smoke shop.

Her family’s pain has since fueled their fight. Earlier this year, they filed a class-action lawsuit in Orange County, not seeking money but accountability. “This suit is about stopping the way nitrous oxide is marketed and sold,” Kathleen said. “We don’t want another family to go through what we did.”

After Kathleen’s story, the operation moved forward. Teams of officers and agents inspected six Clermont smoke shops, sending in underage investigative assets to test whether businesses would sell age-restricted products. Two shops did. In total, the operation seized nearly 300 vape devices and more than 650 packages of Kratom and 7-OH products, substances now classified as dangerous and illegal to sell.

“This joint operation demonstrates our commitment to protecting our community’s youth,” said Clermont Police Chief John Graczyk. “We are dedicated to ensuring the safety, health, and well-being of our residents.”

For Kathleen, sharing Meg’s story was painful, but necessary. It gave heart and meaning to the enforcement sweep. “Meg was more than her addiction,” she said. “She was my sister. She was loved. If telling her story saves even one life, then her death won’t have been in vain.”

For resources on substance abuse and recovery, visit www.FloridaHealth.gov or call 850-245-4444. To report smoke shop violations or suspicious activity, contact the Clermont Police Department at 352-394-5588.

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The Clermont Police Department also recognized Detective Aaron Clark and Officer Kelly Brown for their outstanding efforts in organizing the department’s Annual Honoring the Fallen 5K. Their dedication and leadership have transformed the event into a meaningful opportunity for community engagement and public education.

Thanks to their hard work, the Honoring the Fallen 5K has become more than just a race—it serves as a powerful tribute to the brave men and women in law enforcement who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The event also provides a platform for the community to interact positively with local officers and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and commitments associated with the profession.

Over the years, the event has raised thousands of dollars for charitable organizations that support the families of fallen officers and provide essential training for new recruits. It continues to draw participants from Clermont, across Central Florida, and beyond, helping to strengthen the bond between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Congratulations to Detective Clark and Officer Brown for their exemplary service and commitment to honoring the legacy of those who have served with courage and sacrifice.

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On the morning of May 21, 2025, at approximately 10:23 am, officers responded to a report of an attempted bank robbery and bomb threat at Truist Bank, located at 2665 East Highway 50 in the City of Clermont. Bank employees reported that a male suspect entered
the branch, demanded money, and threatened that he was in possession of a bomb.

Upon arrival, officers discovered that the suspect had already fled the scene. A perimeter was quickly established. Further investigation revealed that the suspect had left the scene
in a vehicle prior to officers’ arrival. Through diligent investigative efforts and working cooperatively with several law enforcement agencies, Clermont Police detectives were able to identify the suspect Damian Martinez, a resident of Orlando.

Martinez was charged with Attempted Armed Robbery. The CPD thanked Winter Garden Police Department, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Osceola Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for their assistance in this case. “This case demonstrates the swift and coordinated efforts of our officers and detectives, as well as the importance of inter-agency cooperation.” stated Chief John Graczyk. “Through their quick response and team work, this suspect was able to be taken into custody in less
than 48 hours.”

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