City of Melbourne Police Officers and Employees Recognized for Exceptional Service

Melbourne Police Officers and Employees Recognized for Exceptional Service

On February 27, 2025, the Melbourne Police Department held its annual awards ceremony to recognize and celebrate police officers, communications officers and civilian employees for outstanding accomplishments, dedication, bravery and professionalism. Within these groups, the department also gave special awards to officers and employees who stood out among even these exceptional honorees. The 2024 winners of these prestigious awards are as follows:

Officer of the Year – K9 Officer Frank Legate

K9 Officer Frank LeGate was honored for his bravery during an armed confrontation in June 2024. The incident began when a caller declared war against the United States and dared officers to respond to his residence. Upon arrival, the first responding officers were ambushed by gunfire, triggering a multi-agency response. Officer LeGate arrived on scene and was immediately met with gunfire. Despite being struck by shrapnel, he refused medical aid and remained engaged in the fight.

Beyond this incident, Officer LeGate has played a vital role in numerous calls for service. Alongside his K9 partner, Murph, he has been instrumental in locating suspects, illegal drugs, and firearms. Additionally, he has taken on a leadership role within his shift, frequently serving as the acting sergeant. His dedication and professionalism have earned him the respect of both his peers and supervisors.

Communications Officer of the Year – Chelsea Johnson

Chelsea Johnson performed exceptionally as a communications officer, training officer, and second-in-charge supervisor in 2024. Her quick thinking during critical incidents saved lives and protected the community. In April, she earned two Honorable Service Awards for her role in coordinating with multiple agencies to track down kidnapping suspects from Melbourne who were enroute to Georgia that led to the safe recovery of the kidnapped child. Then in June she expertly managed communications during a multi-agency active shooter incident, ensuring a coordinated response with neighboring agencies and a successful resolution.

Johnson has served with the Melbourne Police Department Communications Center for five years. She is a consummate professional and is always compassionate with callers under stressful circumstances and is professional with the first responders on the radio. Her dedication and skills make her a true asset to the Melbourne Police Department.

Employee of the Year – Crime Scene Investigator Valerie Houston

Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) Valerie Houston is honored for her exceptional dedication and hard work. Valerie has consistently gone above and beyond, collaborating with officers and detectives on hundreds of cases while maintaining a positive and professional attitude with every assignment. This year, Valerie was recognized with two Unit Meritorious Awards: one for her outstanding contributions during an officer-involved shooting and another for her pivotal role in a complex narcotics investigation. In 2024, the CSI unit assisted with the investigation of 10 homicides. Valerie led the investigation in three of those cases and played a crucial supporting role in four others.

As the evening shift CSI, Valerie handles the highest number of cases within the unit. Her attention to detail, innovative thinking, and excellent time management skills set her apart. Valerie’s unwavering commitment and hard work make her a trusted and valuable asset to both the department and the city.

Detective of the Year – Detective Jay Hazelett

Detective Hazelett has consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty this past year. Although her primary role focuses on general crimes, she was entrusted with two challenging homicide investigations, each requiring her to demonstrate extraordinary skill and perseverance. The first case involved a complex arson murder. Detective Hazelett worked tirelessly, collaborating closely with the State Fire Marshal and the State Attorney’s Office. Her dedication to this case ultimately led to a true bill indictment from the grand jury. Through her relentless pursuit of justice, she obtained a confession from the suspect, who later pled guilty to all charges. The second case involved the stabbing homicide of a transient. Detective Hazelett’s sharp investigative skills led her to uncover critical admissions of guilt. Despite the suspect attempting to justify his actions, Hazelett’s work resulted in an indictment for murder.

As a senior detective, Hazelett is not only known for her exceptional investigative skills but also for her commitment to the division and the agency. She plays a key role in training new detectives and serves as a department firearms instructor, helping to elevate the standards for the entire department. Detective Hazelett is also a valued member of the SWAT team. Her supervisors have consistently praised her for her tactical expertise and ability to remain calm under pressure. Detective Hazelett’s hard work and unwavering commitment to justice make her a valuable asset to the agency and a role model for other officers and detectives.

Supervisor of the Year – Sergeant David Helms

Sergeant David Helms was recognized for his outstanding leadership and dedication following his promotion to sergeant. Almost immediately, he stepped up to assume the additional responsibilities of Watch Commander while continuing to lead his squad and mentor a newly promoted sergeant. His ability to balance these duties while also supervising the K9 Unit highlights his versatility and commitment.

As the K9 Unit Supervisor, Sergeant Helms successfully coordinated training, operations, and deployments, significantly enhancing the unit’s effectiveness in critical situations. Throughout this period, he demonstrated exceptional leadership, professionalism, and mentorship, making a significant impact on the department’s success and setting a high standard for law enforcement.

Field Training Officer of the Year – FTO Briana Fahy

In 2024, Field Training Officer Fahy distinguished herself earning the Unit Meritorious Performance Award for her role in the multi-agency response to a barricaded active shooter incident. She also received two Exceptional Duty Awards and for her role in the arrests of multiple violent armed felons and recovery of a stolen car.

Field Training Officer Fahy exhibits tremendous leadership when training new officers, and she displays a level of patience and maturity needed to help new officers learn their new profession. She is a consummate professional under stressful circumstances and both empathetic and considerate when dealing with the public. Fahy is driven by a sincere desire to help her coworkers as a team player and serve the citizens of Melbourne with excellence.