ANNA MARIA – For their dedication and service during and after Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, Sgt. Brett Getman and Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Deputies Edward Aleppo, Matt Daugherty, Michael Lesselroth, James McDermott Jr., JoAnn Parkinson and Adam Resnick were honored as the deputies of the month for March.
Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short recognized and praised Getman and the Anna Maria Unit deputies during the May 8 city commission meeting, with Getman accompanied by Lt. John Wren.
Short read aloud the proclamation-like media release provided by the Sheriff’s Office and dated March 25.
“In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on Anna Maria Island, several deputies from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Anna Maria Island Unit went above and beyond the call of duty, demonstrating exceptional bravery, leadership and commitment to the community,” Short said.
“Hurricane Helene caused significant storm surge, leaving nearly every business and residence on the Island damaged. The city was without power for two days, and cellular service, email, and text communication were unavailable, isolating residents. Roads were flooded, damaged and largely impassable. Amid these challenging conditions, Sgt. Brett Getman, Dep. Edward Aleppo, Dep. Matt Daugherty, Dep. Michael Lesselroth, Dep. James McDermott Jr., Dep. JoAnn Parkinson and Dep. Adam Resnick showed extraordinary dedication to serving the community.
“Before the storm made landfall, Sgt. Getman demonstrated exceptional leadership by preparing ahead of time and coordinating relief efforts. He ensured that essential equipment was properly secured and that his team was ready to face the challenges. His planning allowed the deputies to act swiftly and effectively once the storm had passed,” Short said.
“After the storm, each deputy volunteered to work overtime, sacrificing time with their own families to serve the residents of Anna Maria Island. They responded to numerous calls for service, often putting their safety at risk by traversing through high waters and navigating severely damaged infrastructure. Many homes were inaccessible, yet the deputies pressed forward, checking on stranded individuals and ensuring their well-being.
“One of the most significant contributions they made was re-establishing communication between families. With cellular service down, families off the Island had no way of knowing the status of their loved ones. The deputies went door to door, checking on residents and relaying critical information to concerned family members. This act of compassion and service helped bring peace of mind to many who were left in the dark during a time of crisis.
“For their bravery, leadership and unwavering commitment during and after Hurricane Helene, Sgt. Brett Getman, Dep. Edward Aleppo, Dep. Matt Daugherty, Dep. Michael Lesselroth, Dep. James McDermott, Dep. JoAnn Parkinson, and Dep. Adam Resnick have been named Deputies of the Month for March 2025,” Short said in conclusion.
After receiving a warm round of applause, Getman said, “Thank you, mayor. Thank you, commissioners.”
