Back the Blue highlights extraordinary and brave acts of law enforcement officers, persons or organizations that forge positive relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Just this week, I issued Back the Blue Awards to Jacksonville Sheriff Police Officers who risked their own lives to save another. Officer Kathleen James and Officer Chelsea McCullom responded to a vehicle crash on Interstate 10 that quickly erupted into fire. The officers heard screams coming from the vehicle, and without hesitation, went into action to rescue a female driver. They had to break a passenger window and physically force a jammed-door open to get to the woman. The officers then dragged the woman 10 feet away before the vehicle exploded and used their own bodies to shield the woman from flying shrapnel.
It is because of their quick-thinking and heroic actions that the driver is alive today. Despite life-threatening injuries, including second and third-degree burns to 40 percent of her body, the driver has made a full recovery.
It was an absolute honor to get to know Officers James and McCullom and present them a Back the Blue Award. Their selfless acts of bravery did not go unnoticed and I am so proud of them. Brave actions like these take place every day in Florida and across the country. I am, and will always be, eternally grateful for the men and women who put on their uniform every day to protect us.
For more information about our Back the Blue Award and to nominate a law enforcement officer, citizen or organization, click here.
In The News
Back the Blue Award given to two Jacksonville officers for saving woman from burning car, Action News Jax
Jacksonville sheriff’s officers receive state award for saving woman from burning car, Florida Times-Union
Jacksonville officers honored for saving woman from burning car, WJXT
Florida AG ready to protect veterans from cyber fraud, The Floridian
Ashley Moody Continues to Take Aim at Teen Vaping, Florida Daily
Floridians Exposed In Equifax Data Breach: How To File Claims, Patch.com
Protecting Floridians
Attorney General Moody Announces Historic $600 Million Settlement with Equifax
Attorney General Ashley Moody announced an agreement reached with Equifax over failed security measures in a massive 2017 data breach that affected nearly half of the U.S. population. The agreement includes a Consumer Restitution Fund of up to $425 million, a $175 million payment to the states and injunctive relief. This represents the highest payment for a multistate data breach investigation to date. Attorney General Moody is joined by 49 other attorneys general in holding Equifax accountable for failing to implement adequate security measures.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “The massive Equifax data breach shows what happens when companies fail to protect Florida consumers’ most personal information from cybercriminals. It is a serious risk of identity theft that could follow consumers for a lifetime." Read More
Owner of South Florida Sober Homes Arrested on Multiple Counts of Patient Brokering and Felony Money Laundering
Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Dade County resident for multiple counts of patient brokering and felony money laundering. Adam Adler directed South Florida addiction treatment facilities and sober homes that he owned to send patients’ urine for urinalysis testing in exchange for more than $1 million in kickbacks.Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “In recent years, Florida has seen an increasing number of fraud cases in the substance abuse and recovery industry. It is appalling that anyone would take advantage of people trying to break the grip of addiction, especially amid this national opioid crisis that is claiming 17 lives a day in Florida. We are putting these bad actors on notice, anyone who abuses the recovery system for profit will be prosecuted and will regret it.” Read More
Events
This week, Attorney General Ashley Moody joined Governor Ron DeSantis, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried for a Florida Cabinet Meeting in Tallahassee.
Attorney General Moody’s son Connor and members of the 10-U State Champion Levy Park Baseball Team led the Pledge of Allegiance in the Florida Cabinet Meeting Room. Governor DeSantis signed baseballs for each of the teammates.
Attorney General Moody with son Connor and fellow 10-U Levy Park teammates in the Attorney General’s Capitol office.
Attorney General Moody touring the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora in Miami. Attorney General Moody encourages all Floridians to visit the museum, which highlights the importance of freedom and democracy, and the story of our Cuban-American community.
Attorney General Moody joining Cuban radio icon Armando Perez-Roura in Miami on the Tome Nota radio show on WWFE La Poderosa 670 AM discussing the latest scams affecting the Florida communities.
Attorney General Moody and Coral Gables Vice Mayor Vince Lago met to discuss combating human trafficking and ensuring public safety in South Florida.
Attorney General Moody on set with Univision Miami news anchor Ambrosio Hernandez raising awareness of scams affecting Florida’s communities on Al Punto, Univision Miami’s Sunday morning talk show. Floridians can tune in to their local Univision affiliate this Sunday at 11 a.m. to watch Attorney General Moody’s interview.
Attorney General Moody visiting with former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.
Attorney General Moody welcoming Vice President Mike Pence and Ivanka Trump to Florida in Jacksonville.
