Riverview Couple Earns Kudos for Work With Sheriff's DUI Crackdown

Riverview residents Mike and Ruth Fauskee and the Operation 3D DUI squad of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office had something in common Sept. 14 at the North Falkenburg Jail Assembly room.

There, the Fauskees and the squad each received kudos at the sheriff’s office’s Awards Recognition Ceremony, held quarterly to recognize employees and citizens who work to make the streets safer.

The Fauskees received the quarterly “Citizen Award” for supporting the squad that arrests drunken drivers, conducts sobriety checkpoints and educates the community about the consequences of not following the squad’s motto, “Don’t Drink and Drive.”

The squad and each of its 12 members received recognition as this quarter's “Outstanding Squad.”

The Fauskees, whose son, Christopher is a member of Operation 3D, routinely provide refreshments for deputies working sobriety checkpoints.

“Over the past two years, Mike and Ruth Fauskee have been supporters of the Operation 3D DUI squad by attending over 24 DUI checkpoints and providing food and beverages to those working the checkpoint,” said Maj. Mike Perotti.

"We'll bring water and snacks," said Michael Fauskee. "And when one of the officers [Billy J. Kruthers] was deployed, we had a going-away party for him."

As members of the Hillsborough County chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, the Fauskees say they understand the message that needs to be hammered home to motorists who drink and drive.

"It's really kind of shocking what you see sometimes," Ruth Fauskee said. "Come to a checkpoint for yourself and see what these guys do. It will open your eyes [to the dangers out there]."

"It's never going to stop," Michael Fauskee said about drunken driving. "All you can do is try to keep it in check."

Perotti noted that, in 2010, the DUI squad made 1,136 arrests for driving under the influence. The squad conducted 34 checkpoints, issued more than 1,000 traffic citations and gave about 1,500 hours of courtroom testimony.

The squad also coordinated an eight-hour interactive DUI education presentation countywide for Hillsborough County high school students.

“The program was presented to over 6,000 students at more more than 20 high schools during 33 presentations in the past school year,” Perotti said.

The squad has been recognized with the Outstanding Dedication To Sobriety Checkpoints Award, given in 2010 by the Florida chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Florida, and the DUI Sustained Enforcement Award, presented in both 2009 and 2010 by the Florida Department of Transportation.

The following squad members were recognized at the Sept. 14 ceremony:

• Sgt. William G. Porter
• Cpl. Brendan D. Fitzgerald
• Deputy Timoty A. Berg
• Deputy Jeffrey M. Carson
• Deputy Beau T. Dobson
• Deputy Christopher M. Fauskee
• Deputy David J. Kennedy
• Deputy Billy J. Kruthers
• Deputy Matthew J. McMurphy
• Deputy Lawrence A. Morrell
• Deputy Brian E. Pulido
• Deputy Jeffrey M. Ramer