Two officers honored as July Officers of the Month
Two deputies went above and beyond the call of duty in July, according to Lee County Sheriff’s Office officials. They are from the North Fort Myers substation, garnishing them the honor of Officers of the Month for July, 2010.
“Deputies Mike Zazwirsky and Pat Hall went above and beyond on July 13 to bring a wanted fugitive from Georgia and ex-law enforcement officer to justice,” said Lt. Steve Edlin in his formal recommendation to Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott.
“The Alpha District command staff of Alpha District, Cpt. Gossman, Lt. Edlin along with Detective Gary Shott of the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) nominated these two of our Alpha District Deputies for the honor in the month of July,” said Deputy Jarrod Cantrell.
Everything stemmed from an investigation that started in June with a call from the Bibb County Georgia Sheriff’s Office requesting Alpha District CID’s help in developing probable cause for an arrest.
That was for the Alexander Cook, a retired Charlotte County Sheriff’s Deputy on burglary and grand theft.
After the investigation was completed, warrants were obtained by the Bibb County Georgia Sheriff’s Office for the arrest of Cook who was charged with burglary of a dwelling, eight counts of theft by receiving stolen property and carrying a firearm during a commission of a crime.
On July 13, detectives from Bibb County confirmed the warrants and extradition for Cook and attempted to make contact with Cook but to no avail.
“Deputies Zazwirsky and Hall made several attempts to make contact with Cook as well,” said Edlin. “They spoke with neighbors and were given a location where Cook might be located. When they went to that location Cook was able to evade contact. Deputies Zazwirsky and Hall then set up surveillance on his home and after watching Cook’s girlfriend leave the first time they checked the house again and found a change of clothing and a gun cleaning kit placed outside the door.
“They then observed the girlfriend return and then leave again. Knowing that Cook carried a concealed gun they readjusted their surveillance. A short time later they were able to observe Cook in the car as it was returning to the house. Not wanting Cook to reach the security of his home and additional firearms they conducted a traffic stop on Cook’s girlfriend’s car and using good officer safety techniques were able to take Cook into custody without incident.”
The two received their awards at the North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce meeting held Wednesday, July 21.