FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 31, 2026

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) recognized members across the state for exceptional performance throughout 2025, honoring individuals whose work advanced public safety and strengthened Florida’s criminal justice system.

Agency leaders commended this year’s award recipients for their achievements, innovative contributions and sustained productivity.

“Our members exemplify the dedication, perseverance and professionalism that define FDLE as a statewide leader in public safety,” said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass. “Their achievements reflect an unwavering commitment to justice and to our core values of Service, Integrity, Respect and Quality. We are grateful for their hard work and proud to recognize their contributions on behalf of all Floridians.”

Award winners are as follows:

Jose A. Perez Special Agent of the Year – Kyle Jones, Inspector, Missing Persons and Offender Enforcement

Inspector Kyle Jones, assigned to the Enforcement and Investigative Support (EIS) Investigative and Enforcement Unit (IEU) in the Tallahassee Region exemplifies the highest standards of service, integrity, respect, and quality in fulfilling FDLE’s mission. Charged with enforcing Florida’s sexual offender, sexual predator, and career offender registration laws across a region that includes numerous small agencies with limited resources, Inspector Jones consistently delivered extraordinary investigative outcomes and demonstrated exemplary leadership. In 2025, he alone was responsible for arresting 45 sexual offenders and predators, bringing 63 registrants into compliance, and completing 569 physical address verifications: each action directly enhancing public safety, ensuring accountability, and strengthening Florida’s registry system. Throughout 2025, he organized seven major operations and supported numerous others across the state. His operational planning, attention to detail, and dedication to quality resulted in record-setting and highly effective initiatives, including Operation Spring Fever, Operation River Roundup and Operation Not a Fan. His leadership, professionalism, and contributions to statewide offender compliance initiatives are representative of the excellence required to carry the FDLE badge.

Jessie B. Dobson Jr. Distinguished Member of the Year – Christopher Vastine, Special Agent, Miami Regional Operations Center

Special Agent (SA) Chris Vastine began his career with FDLE in 1994 and has built a reputation as being one of the most trusted agents for complex and sensitive investigations. SA Vastine has consistently fostered his career by enhancing his investigative experience and strengthening his ability to detect, analyze and ultimately arrest sophisticated criminals involved in financial crime. SA Vastine was asked to investigate a public integrity case involving the missing “petty cash” and seized funds within the Hialeah Police Department. The investigation found that the former chief of the department, Sergio Velazquez, had deposited significant amounts of cash into his personal accounts in increments of less than $10,000 to avoid reporting requirements. This investigation demanded more than 4,500 hours to conduct in-depth analyses of financial records and cash flows. These hours of analytical investigations, 150 subpoenas and numerous search warrants revealed a complex web of deception. SA Vastine’s diligence and thoughtful police work led to the arrest of Velazquez in June 2025 on structuring, organized fraud and grand theft charges.  Throughout this investigation, SA Vastine’s professionalism, perseverance and investigative excellence were on full display and a reflection of SA Vastine’s service to Floridians and ultimately towards the protection of public funds.  

Innovation of the Year – Toxicology Blood Section Validation Team: Senior Crime Laboratory Analyst Leeona Sanders, Senior Crime Laboratory Analyst Lauren Huene, FDLE Forensic Services

In August 2025, the toxicology discipline began using a new blood drug-screening procedure that has streamlined workflows and increased the sensitivity of drug analytes. This was a culmination of an 8-month validation project spearheaded by Senior Crime Laboratory Analyst (SCLA) Lauren Huene and SCLA Leeona Sanders. The implementation of this new method has improved our service to contributors across the state by increasing the scope of drugs we are able to screen for and stream-lining our process to reduce analyst and instrument time to complete a case. In the first 3 months of implementation there is a 66% increase in the number of ketamine positive cases that would have previously been reported as negative, and a 47% increase in fentanyl positive cases that would have previously been negative. FDLE can also now differentiate between delta-8 and delta-9 THC while screening blood samples. SCLA Huene and SCLA Sanders both put in hundreds of hours during this validation project for toxicology. They had to balance the needs of analysts, supervisors, and quality management throughout all aspects of development and implementation of this procedure.  Their efforts have strengthened the scope of testing within the toxicology discipline to offer the criminal justice community an increased level of service.

Capitol Police Officer of the Year – Officer Alian Baez, Capitol Police

Capitol Police Officer Alian Baez consistently exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism, service, and dedication to the mission of the Capitol Police. His performance throughout the year has been exceptional, and his contributions have had a lasting, positive impact on both his peers and the mission of FDLE. In addition to assuming leadership roles as a Field Training Officer, Officer Baez assumes responsibility of serving the agency as a High Liability Instructor. Over the Course of the year, Officer Baez has taught dozens of High Liability areas of proficiency to both his peers and new officers while going through orientation training. Officer Baez is also a valued member of the Capitol Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, allowing him to apply the knowledge he has gained through training to carry out explosive breaching missions in possibly the most high-risk situations. Whether responding to an urgent call, assisting a fellow officer, or volunteering for additional assignments, he answers without hesitation. His dependability, regardless of time, circumstance or personal convenience, embodies the spirit of duty and selflessness that FDLE seeks to honor.

Distinguished Support Member of the Year – Meghann Miller, Government Analyst II, Emergency Preparedness Bureau

Government Analyst II (GA II) Meghann Miller displayed consistent excellence, professionalism and dedication to significantly enhance FDLE’s operational effectiveness. Whether supporting extended deployments, major exercises or time-sensitive operations, she ensures leadership receives accurate and timely information critical to informed decision-making. Her enthusiasm, attention to detail, and pride in her work are evident in every task she undertakes. Her contributions to the Continuity of Operations (COOP) program have been particularly impactful. GA II Miller rewrote the 2023–2024 COOP plan based on lessons learned from agency tabletop exercises, reorganized the 2024–2025 plan to reflect structural changes, and provided ongoing support for the upcoming Continuity of Government Communications Exercise. These efforts demonstrate both her initiative and her commitment to quality and continuous improvement. Between her response to major incidents, participating in high-profile events and supporting public safety missions, GA II Miller provides superior results with professionalism, integrity, and dedication.

Contribution to Criminal Justice – Danielle Bell, IT Business Consultant Manager, Investigations and Forensic Services

Information Technology Business Consultant Manager Danielle Bell embodies the core values of our organization and her blend of technical brilliance, institutional wisdom, and genuine care for her colleagues makes her an essential pillar in advancing FDLE’s mission to promote public safety and strengthen domestic security every day. Her deep understanding of names, positions, and the historical "why" behind FDLE’s systems makes her an indispensable resource for navigation and strategy. Manager Bell combines a high-level mastery of FDLE’s operations with a deeply human approach to managing her team. By fostering a culture of trust and proactive problem-solving, Manager Bell ensures that she and her team don’t just meet expectations—they redefine them.

Distinguished Team of the Year – PROC Major Drug Squad, Pensacola Regional Operations Center

Throughout 2025, the Pensacola Regional Operations Center’s Major Drug Squad has demonstrated superior performance, exceptional teamwork, and unwavering dedication to public safety. Their efforts directly advanced FDLE’s mission and significantly supported the State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (S.A.F.E) initiative. In January, the team executed search and arrest warrants at Pace Pharmacy in Santa Rosa County. The squad uncovered that the pharmacy was illegally dispensing and trafficking Oxycodone without legitimate medical purposes. In February, the squad arrested three individuals at Queen Mary Inn for fentanyl and armed drug trafficking. From April through November, the squad investigated and dismantled a major armed fentanyl trafficking organization which resulted in 22 search warrants and 16 arrests for fentanyl trafficking. These cases showcased the squad’s tenacity, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to teamwork.

Outstanding New Member – Glen Dorow, Special Agent, Palm Beach Field Office

Since joining FDLE’s Miami Regional Operations Center Palm Beach Field Office in January 2024, Special Agent Glen Dorow has consistently supported FDLE’s State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (S.A.F.E.) program. His service and performance in support of the initiative to combat the illegal fentanyl pandemic by working with the Florida law enforcement community has made an impact on FDLE’s public safety efforts.   Since he began at FDLE, SA Dorow has opened nine S.A.F.E. cases, which have resulted in more than 40 arrests and the seizure of more 4,300 grams of fentanyl, 2,500 grams of oxycodone and 9,000 grams of crystal meth. Along with his contributions to the S.A.F.E. program, SA Dorow is a highly trained member of FDLE’s unmanned aerial system team and works with FDLE’s partners in various law enforcement missions.

Excellence in Leadership – Jason Bundy, Assistant Commissioner

Assistant Commissioner Jason Bundy, who previously served as FDLE’s Director of Forensic Services, has led a unified, mission‑driven approach to the division, strengthening its culture, improving collaboration and enhancing the member experience across all regions. His strategic, people‑centered leadership has strengthened statewide teamwork, modernized operations and inspired confidence in a shared path forward. He has built a comprehensive infrastructure for member development through robust training programs, enhanced onboarding, expanded leadership pathways and initiatives that support professional growth and excellence. Under his guidance, the organization has achieved meaningful advancements in efficiency, member engagement and overall performance. His influence extends across FDLE and the national forensic community, where he is widely recognized for his integrity, expertise and commitment to advancing the profession through service, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Forensic Scientist of the Year – Adrienne Bell, Senior Crime Laboratory Analyst, Tallahassee Regional Operations Center

Senior Crime Laboratory Analyst Adrienne Bell’s steadfast dedication, exceptional work ethic, and generous spirit make her an invaluable asset to the laboratory. Her contributions are deeply appreciated by colleagues, leadership, and external partners alike. SCLA Bell not only serves as the statewide Biometric Identification System (BIS) administrator for FDLE Forensics, but also consistently produces high-quality casework, and leads the forensics field with innovative and insightful contributions. Her ability to seamlessly manage complex tasks, such as completing MBIS testing, presenting at the Friction Ridge discipline meeting, and providing training to local agencies, demonstrates her commitment and versatility. She is widely respected for her expertise, reliability, and accessibility, with external partners frequently commending her pivotal role in the successful MBIS upgrade.

Commissioner’s Award – Emily Martin, Crime Intelligence Analyst II, Division of Statewide Intelligence

Since joining FDLE in August 2024, Intelligence Watch & Warning Desk (IWW) Crime Intelligence Analyst II (CIA II) Emily Martin has quickly distinguished herself as a highly capable and dedicated CIA II who embodies our core values of Service, Integrity, Respect and Quality. Reflective of that, after a few months in the IWW, she was asked to begin training new analysts and appointed as primary INTERPOL analyst for the State of Florida. CIA II Martin has continued to provide timely, actionable intelligence that directly supports operational decision making. She exemplifies integrity through her diligent handling of time sensitive information. Her work reflects sound judgment, professionalism and accountability, ensuring that all notifications are accurate.

Lifetime Achievement – Sharon Wester, Director, Business Support Program

Business Support Program (BSP) Director Sharon Wester began her FDLE career in September 1989 and has faithfully served FDLE’s members and the state of Florida ever since. Director Wester bought into FDLE’s core values of Service, Integrity, Respect and Quality when she started and allowed them to shape who she became as a professional and ultimately, as a person. Director Wester continues to model FDLE’s core values for not only the members within her division, but all the FDLE members she has served. In 2006, Director Wester was selected to supervise the newly created Investigative & Forensic Services (IFS) Business Office because of her in-depth knowledge of policies and procedures related to budget and purchasing issues. During her nine years in this position, she became an invaluable resource for IFS, both at HQ and regionally, managing IFS’ budget and procurement, as well as the sworn and forensic hiring processes.  In 2015, Wester was named deputy director of the BSP and was appointed director of BSP in 2020. As the BSP Director, Wester has consistently led her division to embrace change, welcome new challenges and maintain a high standard of efficiency.

Medal of Valor – Special Agent, Pensacola Regional Operations Center 

During the awards ceremony, Command Staff recognized a special agent, whose name is being withheld due to their undercover status, assigned to the FDLE Pensacola Major Drug Squad with the Medal of Valor. The prestigious award is presented to any member who, during the performance of their duties and responsibilities, displays heroism, bravery or exemplary actions. In March of 2025, during a multi-agency drug trafficking search warrant in the Pensacola region, the agent put himself in harm’s way when a suspect opened fire on law enforcement. The volatile situation evolved into an armed barricade and later a vehicle pursuit ending in a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver. The agent displayed exceptional service to the community, risked his life and protected innocent lives during the execution of a search warrant that exposed him to self-peril. The agent’s courage, bravery and leadership led to the safe resolution of the incident, as well as the safe capture of a violent habitual threat to public safety.

For Further Information Contact:

FDLE Office of Public Information

Info@fdle.state.fl.us