I would like to take a few minutes of your time to introduce myself and share with you what I will bring to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office once I’m elected into office.
I am a Military Veteran who served with honor, and a father of two wonderful sons, Lauro Jr., and Manuel. I am a husband to a wonderful wife, Ines, and a grandfather to my wonderful grandchildren.
I have 37 years of law enforcement experience. 27 of those years were spent at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Some of the positions I held throughout my career:
• Deputy Chief of Police
• Captain of the Organized Crime Division
• Captain of Training
• Captain of the Law Enforcement Division
• Captain of the Criminal Investigations Division
• Captain of Operations and 911 Coordinator
I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
My number one core value is Transparency.
I truly believe the Sheriff’s Office is the people’s office. The duty of the Sheriff is to serve all, not just some, and citizens must always come first before politics. I believe that if we treat each other with equality, respect, professionalism, integrity, compassion, and courage, we can achieve a stronger and safer county.
Career & Education:
I began my law enforcement career in 1979 with the U.S. Army Military Police. After completion of commitment to the Armed Forces, I joined the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office where I rose through the ranks.
My law enforcement experience includes the following areas:
• Deputy Chief of Police
• Uniform Road Patrol Deputy and Sergeant
• Tactical Unit Detective and Lieutenant
• Narcotic Agent
• Sergeant
• Lieutenant and Captain
• Criminal Investigation's Captain
• SWAT Commander
• Training Captain
• Command Duty Officer
• 911 Coordinator
• Law Enforcement Operations Captain
Special Training:
• Over 1,000 hours of specialized law enforcement training
• Active Shooter Law Enforcement Response & Instructor Course
• Incident Command System Training - All Levels
• Blue Lightning Strike Force/Marine Training
• National Dignitary Protection School, Washington, DC
• Traffic Homicide Investigation, Lakeland Air Force Base
• Interviews & Interrogation
• Hostage Negotiations
• Special Response Teams U.S. Army, Ft. Carson, Co
• Drug Enforcement Agency - Drug Investigations, Miami, FL
Qualifications
• Deputy Chief of Police
• 37 years in law enforcement
• Firsthand knowledge of our county and existing crime trends
• Excellent negotiation and public relations skills
• Highly skilled in collaborating with others
• Genuine interest in the field of education
• Enthusiastic, professional, and reliable
• Master's Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management – terrorist threat experience
• Bachelor's Degree in Science of Criminal Justice
• A Military Veteran honorably discharged
Awards:
• Legion of Merit: Exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service
• Meritorious Service: Extraordinary conduct directly for the performance of criminal justice duties involving a degree of personal risk to life and limb
• Good Conduct: Issued for 25 years of service without reprimand, discipline, or instance of negative report
• Combat Cross: Three awards (1992, 1993, 2007) for an outstanding act of individual valor involving great personal risk to life or limb when exposed to an armed adversary
• Distinguished Service: West Palm Beach Police Department for selfless provision of police services in 2003 on behalf of the police department as we honored Officer Morash #1334
• Unit Commendation: Greenacres case (Christy Luna) – pedophile investigation for contributions and exceptional achievement pursuant to the course and scope of employment
• Personal Commendation: for exceptionally commendable performance during the execution of criminal justice duties.
• Deputy of the Year 1985: Personal commendation
Community Involvement:
• Take Stock in Children
• Junior Achievement
• Mentor for Youth at Risk
• Adjunct Instructor for South Florida State College
• Rotary Member
• Director of Bless Your Sole Foundation
• Director of ONE - One Time, One Chance, One Way