Law enforcement association celebrates 60th year
The East Hillsborough Law Enforcement Appreciation Association exists to pay homage to the men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line every day.
Its annual appreciation dinner took place on May 10 at the Florida Strawberry Festival
Exhibition Hall.
Now in it’s 60th year, the event was once again held to recognize law enforcement, especially to the officer who inspired its conception.
On Sunday, July 22, 1962, at a home located southeast of Plant City, 39-year-old Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Sgt. Ben Wilder was shot and killed while he and two other deputies were attempting to serve an arrest warrant on an individual who fired a shotgun at a relative during an argument over possession of an electric fan.
Sgt. Wilder had been with the agency for eight years.
Sgt. Wilder and Deputy Perry Young were at the front door of the house when the other deputies looked through a carport window into the living room of the house and saw the suspect at the front door shooting, striking Sgt. Wilder in the head and killing him instantly.
Deputy Young was then struck by a second blast as he went to the aid of Sgt. Wilder. Deputy Young later had his arm amputated as a result of the shotgun blast.
Law enforcement officers from a variety of state and local agencies responded to the scene and surrounded the house in the darkness. After multiple rounds of tear gas were fired into the house, the killer came out the front door, pointed his shotgun at a nearby deputy and was immediately shot and killed by police gunfire.
Community leaders were outraged at this tragic loss and decided to do something to show their support for local law enforcement. Five individuals: John Pollock, Foy Lee, Carl Schumacher, Wiley Gillespie, and Percy Wheeler Jr., formed the East Hillsborough Law Enforcement Appreciation Association Inc.
They started a proud tradition of honoring the dedication and sacrifice of law enforcement officers that has carried on for
60 years.
Each year, on the second Tuesday in May, (usually during National Police Week) the association hosts a dinner in which law enforcement officers and their significant others are invited guests.
They are treated to a dinner and entertainment. Likewise, the leaders from four different law enforcement organizations present their “East Hillsborough County Officer of the
Year” award.
The agencies represented include: Plant City Police Department; Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office; Florida Highway Patrol; and Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. The event has grown over the past 60 years to include approximately 475 attendees. That number includes officers, guests, elected officials, and sponsors.
The East Hillsborough County Officer of the Year for each agency goes as follows:
Officer Specialist Jessica Rorer of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Officer Specialist Jessica Rorer was born in New Jersey and raised in Jacksonville, Florida.
She attended the University of North Florida, where she studied criminal justice and graduated cum laude. She was elected to attend FWC Class 30 and upon graduation, was assigned to
Duval County.
After working in Duval County for one year, Officer Specialist Rorer transferred to Hillsborough County in January 2018. Officer Specialist Rorer hit the ground running and quickly made a name for herself in resource protection and enforcement.
Officer Specialist Rorer has targeted the illegal artifact trade along with night hunting violations, duck hunting, and turkey hunting violations.
One of Officer Specialist Rorer’s more memorable cases came while she was targeting night hunting violations in Hillsborough County in the early morning hours. Officer Specialist Rorer observed a vehicle driving slowly down a road and shining a light into a field.
Officer Specialist Rorer conducted a vehicle stop and found four occupants inside the vehicle with hunting rifles and flashlights. Officer Specialist Rorer also located a fifth individual, hiding in the back of the truck, with an illegally harvested deer that had recently been shot.
On the side of a dark and remote country road, Officer Specialist Rorer was able to detain all five individuals until her partner arrived to assist. All five subjects admitted to night hunting and were arrested for the violations and their hunting rifles
were seized.
Officer William “Billy” Harvester of the Plant City
Police Department.
Officer William “Billy” Harvester grew up in Lutz and attended Hillsborough County schools.
He was previously employed for 10 years at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center, attaining the rank of Senior Dispatcher.
Officer Harvester graduated South Florida State College’s law enforcement academy and was hired by the Plant City Police Department in 2015.
Officer Harvester quickly distinguished himself as a patrol officer and was selected to be a field training officer and Critical Incident Response Team
(CIRT) member. He represents the Police Department as a member of citywide CARES Team (Creativity Action Research Expertise Solutions) in an effort to tend to the needs and challenges of the local homeless population.
Officer Harvester is an active participant in police related charities and support groups including the Police Unity Tour, Off Road United, and Concerns of Police Survivors. Officer Harvester was named Rookie of the Year in 2015 and the Optimist Club Officer of the Year in 2016, and has received numerous commendations for exemplary service.
In July 2021, Officer Harvester received information concerning the location of a known wanted fugitive in the Plant City area. The fugitive had active probation violation warrants for narcotics and weapons charges. Officer Harvester began to patrol the area where the fugitive is known to frequent and located him standing outside an apartment. The fugitive fled on foot to a nearby apartment upon seeing Officer Harvester. Officer Harvester gave chase and discovered the fugitive locked himself in
the bathroom.
Officer Harvester started a dialog with the fugitive in an attempt to get him to surrender. The fugitive threatened Officer Harvester and other officers, stating he was armed and would shoot anyone who came through the door. Bolstered by the S.W.A.T. team, Officer Harvester negotiated with the man for the next three hours. After explaining all the options to the fugitive, he was able to talk the fugitive into surrendering to him. Officer Harvester showed patience, perseverance, and critical thinking skills in his ability to bring this event to a
peaceful resolution.
Lt. Michael Mattiza of the Florida Highway Patrol
Lt. Michael Mattiza began his career in July 1999 with the 97th Recruit Class and upon graduation, he was assigned to Troop F – Lee County.
In 2004, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in Troop C – Hillsborough County, overseeing the Contraband
Interdiction Unit.
Lt. Mattiza is being recognized for an extraordinary event that took place last year, on June 11 during the early afternoon hours. While patrolling southbound on Interstate 75, just north of SR-60, the lieutenant came upon a motor home on the outside shoulder of the highway (where) several vehicles also stopped. Lt. Mattiza stopped to investigate the incident and immediately located a 66-year-old Florida man in medical distress. Lt. Mattiza retrieved his medical gear, to include his AED, and now, accompanied by another trooper passing through from another Troop, immediately began life-saving CPR efforts. Combined with the AED, Lt. Mattiza was able to resuscitate the individual and maintain the man’s status until relieved by EMS personnel. As these types of incidents often have an impact on the rescued, as well as the rescuer, Lt. Mattiza continuously checked on the elderly man for several days until his release from the hospital. And it is with no doubt that the lieutenant’s actions saved the man’s life and prevented more permanent injury.
It is more than evident Lt. Mattiza is highly deserving of this special recognition. His devotion to the Florida Highway Patrol, the citizens of Florida, and most notably Hillsborough County is self-evident and commendable. The lieutenant’s efforts have saved lives and helped maintain order in our community and beyond.
Deputy Adriel “AJ” Gonzalez Jr. of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Adriel “AJ” Gonzalez Jr. began his law enforcement career after serving in the United States Air Force for six years, and he continues to serve in the United States Air Force Reserves.
He began his career at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in 2016 as a detention deputy assigned to the Falkenburg
Road Jail.
He transferred to law enforcement in 2020 where he patrols Eastern Hillsborough County.
On the morning of Sept. 24, 2021, Deputies Adriel Gonzalez and Casey Lehman responded to a residence to investigate an allegation of domestic violence. Upon arrival, the deputies learned that the adult son of an elderly couple was exhibiting violent behavior and physically struck and injured his mother. As the deputies entered the residence to investigate further and attempt to deescalate the erratic behavior of the son, Deputy Gonzalez positioned himself outside the closed door leading to the son’s bedroom.
The assailant inside the bedroom, without warning, shot one round through the bedroom door. The bullet struck Deputy Gonzalez in his right arm.
Despite his wounds, Deputy Gonzalez persevered. He and Deputy Lehman removed the elderly parents from this dangerous situation inside the residence and brought them to
safety outside.
The deputies maintained containment on the perimeter of the house to prevent the assailant from escaping until back-up deputies arrived.
Deputy Gonzalez’s prompt and selfless response to this dangerous incident, demonstrates his bravery and commitment to serving and protecting others.
Deputy Gonzalez is a hero and he is this year’s recipient of the East Hillsborough Law Enforcement Appreciation Association Deputy of the Year award.
– East Hillsborough Law Enforcement Appreciation Association
