Chief Gary Hester

From Chief of Staff at Polk County Sheriff's Office to

Chief of Police at the Winter Haven Police Department.

Chief Gary Hester sat down for a interview with The Public Safety Network.com. "Its tough leaving here"

from the Sheriff's Office Hester explains. Having mixed emotions that he is not used to, he has been

with the Polk County Sheriff's Office for 31 years. Hired on in 1979, this was his first job in Law

Enforcement. "I have always just looked at myself as a cop" he explained. Hester has progressed up

through the ranks, holding every rank from Sergeant to Chief of Staff. "Great people have helped build

me" from the previous Sheriff to the current Sheriff Judd, "I didn't get here by myself" he explained. He

recalled Sheriff Crow making a statement that has stuck with him over the years. "You do the right

thing, and I will do the right thing, You do the wrong thing, and I will do the right thing". This is the kind

of advice that has helped him achieve over the years. He was appointed as Chief of Staff on January 4,

2005 by Sheriff Grady Judd. Sheriff Judd was Hester's first Lieutenant when he hired on. Captain

Widner of the Sheriff's Office said "Hester is the kind of guy that leads from the front". He explained

that he has also worked with Hester his entire career from K-9 to present. Widner said "I would

follow Hester into battle as he is a Cop's Cop". He also explained that Hester is well educated and

 
intelligent. Speaking with Hesters former

assistant Cami Williamson she said "I

have had the privilege of working as

Chief Hester's Administrative Assistant

on two separate occasions, for a

combined total of six years. It has been

wonderful working for him, and I will truly

miss him. Gary Hester is a sincere, caring, fair man, and the Winter Haven Police Department is sure to

excel under his leadership".

Member Focus: Jasson Drinkard  

Age:                                   37

Rank:                                 Lieutenant

Agency:                             Polk County Fire Rescue

How Long:                        13 years
Previous Agencies:         Volunteer Hillsborough County Fire Rescue

Academies:                      Ridge Fire Academy, Central Florida

                                           Fire Academy, Florida State Fire College

State Certificates:            Firefighter, EMT, Haz Mat Tech, Instructor 1
                                           Pump Operator, LFTI 2

Area of Expertise:           T.R.T. & HazMat, Instructor of Fire Academy & Special Operations

Introduction
The Member Focus today is on a Polk County Fire Department Lieutenant Jasson Drinkard. Jasson is 37 years old and is married with one child. When not pursuing his passion of firefighting, Jasson enjoys listening to music, kayaking, cooking and fishing.

Winter Haven Police Department and Polk County Sheriff's Office find a "Moblile Meth Lab"

Winter Haven Police Officer Jodi Lott stopped a vehicle involved in a theft at WalMart. The suspect was arrested.

During a search of the vehicle, Officer Lott and a assisting PCSO deputy notice a bottle with some tubing coming from the

cap. It was lying on the seat inside some newspaper. Officer Lott said she could also "smell a foul chemical odor".

An apparent mobile meth lab, both officers backed off and secured the area. Winter Haven Fire and PCES were called to

assist. Later Narcotics Officers were called and they dismantled and processed the Mobile Meth Lab for evidence..

Units responded to report of a unknown "White Powder"

PCFD, PCSO, State Fire Marshal's Office, Tampa Police Department (Bomb Squad) Fort Meade Fire Department, and PCEMS

responded to report of an unknown "white powder" at the Post Office in Fort Meade. PCFD Special Operations Team also

responded to help with determining with what the substance was. It was later determined that the substance was not harmful. 

Captain Charlie Bird of the Winter Haven Police Department

explains how the statue "The Prottector" came about.

11 years ago former Chief David Romine started the idea of putting  a bronze statue in front of the new police department to be built.

This idea caught on and numerous people became involved in a project that would ultimately take 11 years to complete. Feb 2001

was when the campaign officially started. The project continued through 4 different police administration.

It took numerous contributions, from many different citizen to make it happen. One group of fundraisers that helped was the 2003-2004

Garner Elementary School Students. This class of students took on the challenge to help show appreciation for what they called "their

local heroes". They called their fundraiser "It's our turn". Meaning it's our turn to share and take responsibility for the statue. The

students set up empty milk jugs all around the school for students to put their loose change into. In 2005 Garner gave the Winter

Haven Police Department a check for $1000.00. This is just one example of how the community came together to help and

show support for the local Police Department.