Law enforcement officers in Volusia and Flagler counties were honored at Thursday night's CrimeStoppers of Northeast Florida banquet. The ceremony covered Florida's 7th Judicial Circuit, which consists of Volusia, Flagler, St. Johns, and Putnam counties.
Representing Volusia County, Investigator Andrew Barrett of the Holly Hill Police Department was honored with the Spirit of Law Enforcement Award. Barrett is credited with helping the New York State Police with taking down a sex trafficking ring by tracking the primary suspect in Holly Hill, where he moved from New York.
Barrett's investigation was reportedly a major piece of the case that was used to obtain an indictment against the suspect. He was later arrested, along with 18 other suspects in New York. "We’re proud of Investigator Barrett, the nominees, each Officer of the Year that was selected by the Crime Stoppers Board, and all of the law enforcement officers throughout the State of Florida, and this United States," The Holly Hill Police Department said in a statement Friday.
Meanwhile, Detective Adam Gossett of the Flagler County Sheriff's Office received the Officer of the Year Award at the banquet for his own service. Gossett was commended for his role in saving two kids' lives in a severe car accident on I-95 in April 2022.
Off-duty at the time of the crash, Gossett pulled the two kids away from the burning vehicle they were leaning against, and used his t-shirt to stop one of their bleeding. On-duty first responders arrived and administered further care, but Gossett's heroics are regarded as having possibly saved the kids' lives. “Detective First Class Gossett went above and beyond the call of duty to help save the lives of those children – even when he was off duty,” said Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly. “DFC Gossett embodies the spirit and service to our community and is in keeping with the highest traditions of law enforcement."
