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A Polk County Deputy Sheriff is the new state law enforcement officer of the year. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi made the presentation at a Tallahassee ceremony today. Deputy Michael Braswell and his partner stopped a bicyclist late one night, found drugs, and were escorting the man to their patrol car when he turned and started shooting. Bondi described the night:

“Deputy Braswell watched his partner stumble backwards and fall to the ground after being shot. Deputy Braswell, who was only five to seven feet away from an armed suspect and returned fire simultaneously while being shot by the suspect. Deputy Braswell was hit twice in the vest, once in the hand, once in the leg as he fell to the ground.
We asked the deputy what he was thinking at the time. Deputy Braswell responded:
“You would be amazed what goes through your mind. The most common. is you know, am I gonna survive? Am I going to be able to see my wife and children again? You know, what about my friends and family. Did I leave anything that was left unturned, you know, Did I have any open fights or disagreements with family members that I wouldn’t get that chance to say I’m sorry, or at least tell your mother that you love her one more time.”

A total of ten officers were honored for their work this past year.