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SENIOR DISPATCHER RICHARD SWINK OF THE COLLIER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS THE FLORIDA SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION’S 2017 DISPATCHER OF THE YEAR.
Photo by CPL. EFRAIN HERNANDEZ/CCSO
CCSO’S RICHARD SWINK

2017 DISPATCHER OF THE YEAR

S enior Dispatcher Richard Swink of the Collier scene. The Communications Manager listening to the call
County Sheriff ’s Office has been selected as the noted that Deputy Swink guided the caller with compassion
2017 Dispatcher of the Year by the Florida Sheriffs and empathy, encouraging them not to give up.
Association. About a month later, Deputy Swink helped save the life
The award, presented each year at the FSA winter of yet another Collier County resident, this time a 33-year-
conference, is given to one commendable communications old male, after the man’s coworker called and reported he
officer who has demonstrated exemplary service, was unconscious and not breathing after being struck by
professionalism, and commitment in the line of duty. lightning. Again, Deputy Swink guided the caller through
Deputy Swink has exemplified these qualities in the CPR for several minutes while first responders traveled to
workplace since he was hired by the agency to work the scene. Thanks to his guidance, the patient’s pulse had
for the jail in 2008, and by 2009, he moved over to the returned by the time the ambulance reached the hospital.
Communications Center. Throughout the years, one of When he’s not handling emergency calls himself, Deputy
his skills that constantly stands out is his ability to handle Swink is busy training new dispatchers. A unique training
stressful calls with ease. style, he has demonstrated what it is to be a great role model,
On August 8, 2016, Deputy Swink talked first responders and leader, for his fellow dispatchers.
through a bomb threat at a major hotel on Marco Island. “Richard is a terrific asset to the Collier County Sheriff ’s
Quickly dispatching the call, he calmly controlled radio Office,” said Sheriff Kevin Rambosk. “He has proven his
traffic as he provided updates to firefighters. Weeks later, on dedication to the job and his efforts are invaluable to our
August 25, 2016, he helped save the life of a 35-year-old community at large. He is most deserving of this award
Collier County resident by carefully guiding a 911 caller for his job in keeping Collier County a great place and a
through CPR instruction until first responders arrived to the safe place.”

84 Life in Naples | March 2017