HERALD PHOTO BY BARBARA BEAN-MELLINGER
The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office handles law enforcement for Charlotte County residents, except those in Punta Gorda.

HERALD PHOTO BY BARBARA BEAN-MELLINGER
The Charlotte County Fire Department is housed in the Public Safety Building on Airport Road in Punta Gorda.

HERALD PHOTO BY BARBARA BEAN-MELLINGER
The Charlotte County Fire Department’s training facility allows firefighters to learn in a controlled setting.

PHOTO PROVIDED
Charlotte County Fire & EMS has three brush trucks that can go into off-road areas.

PHOTO PROVIDED
Marine boats are equipped for water fire fighting and emergencies.

HERALD FILE PHOTO BY CHRISTY ARNOLD

Justin Davoult was named Punta Gorda Police Department’s Officer of the Year in 2012. Cpl. Chris Owensby nominated Davoult for gaining the respect of his peers after showing selfless work ethic and teamwork. In a letter, he wrote, “Officer Davoult consistently exceeds standards and clearly excels in the area of investigations.”

SUN FILE PHOTO BY PAMELA STAIK
Charlotte County Fire & EMS Firefighter Tony Bagiardi sprays the bed of a Chevy Silverado in the parking lot of the Edgewater Walgreens in 2010.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY CCSO

Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Cameron officially dedicated the new Volunteer Services office in a vacant room where the District 3 office reception was at the CCSO administration building in Punta Gorda in March. Pictured, from left, are Carla Rathburn, Earl Goodby, Jim Kaletta, Robert Jones, Cameron and Jerry Massey.

SUN FILE PHOTO BY GREG MARTIN
Punta Gorda Fire Department Training Chief Ray Briggs stands next to some of the department’s advanced life-saving equipment in March. The new “Life Pack” machine, which includes a 12-lead heart monitor, cost $38,000.

HERALD FILE PHOTO BY BETSY WILLIAMS
Outside the Cultural Center of Charlotte County Theater in April, Sgt. John Heck of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office releases K-9 officer, Atlas, his 9-year-old canine, to show off his attack skills with DCF Lee Pressley. A K-9 demonstration was held during the intermission of the “Outlaws and Angels” show.