TALLAHASSEE —Two members of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Division of Law Enforcement (DLE) recently received recognition at the State Law Enforcement Chiefs’ Association’s (SLECA) annual Law Enforcement Officer and Investigator of the Year ceremony in Tallahassee. Special Agent Guy Gilbert of DEP's DLE Criminal Investigations Bureau was recognized as a nominee for Investigator of the Year, and Lieutenant Burt Himmer of DEP's DLE Training Center received the SLECA Lifesaving Award.

“Special Agent Gilbert and Lieutenant Himmer are very deserving of this recognition,” said DEP Division of Law Enforcement Director Henry Barnet. “Both men exemplify professionalism and dedication to duty, and I am proud of their acknowledgment at the ceremony.”

One example of Special Agent Gilbert’s outstanding work was his handling of the 2009 investigative case at Miami International Airport called “Operation Safe Warehouse” in which he took the lead in identifying radioactive medical waste in one warehouse and assisted the Department of Health’s Radiation Unit as they identified one hundred pounds of depleted uranium in another warehouse.

Lieutenant Himmer was recognized for his actions while teaching a defensive tactics course at the Florida Public Safety Institute in Tallahassee. During the course, he observed a recruit, who began experiencing physical distress and whose condition soon deteriorated to the point of losing consciousness. He contacted EMS and insisted that the recruit be transported to the hospital for observation. The recruit was later diagnosed with internal bleeding from a ruptured spleen.

DEP’s Division of Law Enforcement is responsible for statewide environmental resource law enforcement, as well as providing law enforcement services to Florida’s state parks and greenways and trails. Division personnel from the three operational bureaus patrol state lands; investigate environmental resource crimes; and respond to natural disasters, civil unrest, hazardous material incidents and oil spills that threaten the environment.

To report an environmental crime, wireless customers can dial #DEP. Callers can also report environmental crimes to the State Warning Point by calling (877) 2-SAVE-FL (1.877.272.8335). General environmental inquiries should be directed to DEP district offices during normal business hours. For more information about DEP’s Division of Law Enforcement, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/law.