Lend a Hand Stories
Deputy Mike Hostutler, Deputy Amanda Colin, and Deputy John Rudd , Leon County SO:
FDSA Board Member Bobby Green and Leon County Sheriff Mike Wood presented a check for three Leon County Sheriff’s Office employees. Each one has a tough road ahead due to medical problems. The Lend a Hand program was able to donate $1,000 to each deputy to help offset their medical costs.
Undercover Detective, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
Lend a Hand donated $1,000 to an undercover deputy after he was shot during an off duty traffic stop. The deputy was taking his teenage son to school when he decided to pull over an erratic driver. Luckily, the detective was wearing his body armor style vest, because the driver opened fire. He was shot multiple times in the upper body, head, and arm. He survived the encounter, but has a long road to recovery.
Deputy Brandee Smith, Putnam County SO
Lend a Hand recently delivered a $1,000 donation to the family of Brandee Smith. Her body was found in the St. Johns river after a tragic boating accident. She is survived by her three children.
Deputy William “Eddie” May, Alachua County SO
We were heartbroken to learn that beloved Deputy Eddie May has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Lend a Hand immediately decided to donate $500 to help his family. His famiy and friends have also set up a gofundme account to raise money for his funeral and his daughter's future educational expenses. https://www.gofundme.com/vh9nrubv
Deputy Corey Todd, St. Lucie County SO
FDSA Board Member Sheriff Ken Mascara presented a $500 donation from the Lend a Hand program to Deputy Todd's wife on October 6, 2015. He even shaved his head to show his support! Deputy Todd is battling Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, a life threatening form of cancer. Our donation will help cover his travel and medical costs. If you would like to donate to the family, please visit their crowdfunding website: https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/212dOa
Brevard County Deputy, Shot in Line of Duty
Lend a Hand donated $500 to this brave deputy who was shot during an undercover prositution investigation. Although he has been released from the hospital, this deputy has a long way to go on the road to recovery. Our donation will help his family cover immediate costs during his medical care and recovery process.
Walton County Dispatcher, Daughter Battling Cancer
When we heard that a dispatcher with 10 years of service was helping his daughter fight cancer, Lend a Hand presented him with a $500 donation. This will help cover her travel and other related costs while she undergoes treatment.
St. Lucie County Deputy, died in car wreck
FDSA's Lend a Hand program donated $500 to the deputy's family to ease their financial worries during their grieving process.
Deputy James Albritton, Bradford County SO
FDSA's Lend A Hand program delivered a gift of $1,000 to the family of Deputy James Albritton with the Bradford County Sheriff's Office. The Albrittons' four year old son, Matthew, is traveling to and from the Tampa area for some medical treatments.
Deputy Russell Sullivan, Manatee County SO
Madison Rylee was born on March 2nd, 2015 to Deputy Russell Sullivan and his family with a rare genetic disorder called Trisomy-18. The medical community typically considers this disorder a terminal illness. Deputy Sullivan and his family made the brave decision to let God determine her fate.
On April 2nd, FDSA was proud to have Board Member Lt. Robert Mealy present Deputy Sullivan with a $500 contribution from our Lend-A-Hand program to help his family with travel expenses incurred during Madison's medical care.
Sergeant Robert Nelson, Putnam County SO
Sergeant Nelson was involved in a drug sting operation when an arrest did not go according to plan. The suspect attempted to run down the sting team with his car. Sergeant Nelson and his team opened fire and subdued the suspect, but Nelson was shot in the wrist. Lend A Hand donated $500 to the Nelson family for travel expenses and related expenses during his hospitalization.
Deputy Corelle Banjoman, Walton County SO
When Deputy Banjoman's brother died from complications of diabetes, he could not afford to make the trip to Michigan to attend the funeral. Lend A Hand donated $500 to assist with travel related expenses.
Deputy Derrick Edwards, Gadsden County SO
Lend a Hand donated $500 to Deputy Edwards to assist him while he and his family recovered from a house fire.
Deputy Christopher Smith, Leon County SO
Deputy Smith was while responding to a house fire when he was ambushed by the person who set the house ablaze. He and another LCSO deputy were shot before a TPD office was able to subdue the suspect. Deputy Smith passed away immediately from his injuries. Lend a Hand donated $1,000 to his family.
Deputy Justin Stephens, Walton County SO
Deputy Stephens has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. In November, he traveled to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas for surgery. Although the family has insurance, they have many out of pocket expenses. To help out, Lend a Hand donated $1,000.
Deputy Andrew Reynolds, Orange County SO
Deputy Reynolds was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkins Lymphoma in October, 2014. His prognosis is pretty good, overall, but the treatment process will require multiple trips to Jacksonville, FL. Lend a Hand donated $1,000 to help this family with the cost of travel.
Deputy Louis Pulford, Marion County SO
In March of 2014, Mr. Pulford’s son tragically committed suicide. His family had no insurance. Lend a Hand donated $500 to help the family with the funeral costs.
Sheriff Ray Wilson, Okaloosa county SO
Ray Wilson was the Sheriff of Okaloosa County from 1956-1976. He was well liked by everyone that he met and incredibly friendly. When he died in February of 2014, Lend a Hand donated $500 to help supplement their insurance and help the family recover.
FL Sheriff’s Association Memorial Ceremony
Lend a Hand donated a total of $1,200 to sponsor the families of Sergeant Gary Morales, Master Deputy Shane Robbins, Sergeant Mike Wilson, Deputy Sheriff Daniel Rivera, and Detective Michael Erickson. This money paid for these fallen deputies’ families lodging so that they could attend the memorial service in Tallahassee, FL.
Lieutenant Scott Konkel, Bradford County SO
Deputy Scott Konkel has been a member of the FDSA and FSA’s law enforcement program for 7 years total. When his 15 month old son died suddenly, Lend a Hand stepped in and donated $1,000 to his family to help with the funeral costs.
Deputy Joella Moore, Charlotte County SO
Lend a Hand donated $750 to Mrs. Moore to assist her while she cared for her daughter, who was in a coma at a Tampa hospital.
Deputy Rod Houldson, Clay County SO
Rod’s wife Bonnie has been fighting Mast Cell Disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes lots of pain and hospitalizations. Lend A Hand donated $500 to the Houldson family to help them with costs associated with travel ect.
Deputy Robert Lundy, Taylor County SO
Deputy Lundy was shot when he confronted a gunman at a Perry car dealership. The shooter had already shot two customers. Deputy Lundy shot and killed the gunman after he was shot. We donated $1,000 to assist his family.
Deputy Jonathan Pine, Orange County SO
Deputy Jonathan Pine was shot and killed while responding to reports of car burglaries off of South Apopka -Vineland Road. Lend a Hand donated $1,000 to assist his family.
Deputy Keith Mayo, Washington County SO
Washington County Sheriff's Office hosted a benefit for Deputy Keith Mayo, who has battled life threatening medical issues, two surgeries and countless visits to specialists in Birmingham, AL and Gainesville, FL over the last two months. Lend A Hand donated $250 to the benefit fund to help his family.
