Hometown Heroes
Community Quilts
The Palm Beach MQG is honored to partner with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and award Hometown Hero Community Quilts to honor outstanding Officers in the PBSO.
Deputy Lisa Benson
On May 6, 2025, Deputy Lisa Benson was dispatched to a hit and run accident in which the victim was laying on the ground in the roadway, bleeding from the back of the head with serious injuries.
Deputy Benson quickly responded to the area and located a vehicle traveling nearby which had heavy front end damage and a smashed windshield. She immediately initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle to investigate further and learned that the driver was involved with the crash.
DUI and VHI were unable to respond, and Deputy Benson took lead on the investigation, arresting the driver at the scene for DUI.
In the following weeks, Deputy Benson took initiative and collaborated with the State Attorney’s Office and VHI Unit to collect evidence necessary to upgrade the charge to DUI involving serious bodily injury.
Deputy Benson conducted in depth follow-up investigation to gather all evidence, including authoring and executing a search warrant on the suspect vehicle.
Additionally, a week after the incident, Deputy Benson located the transient victim through investigative means to obtain a detailed sworn statement. The victim sustained serious injury and is seeking ongoing medical treatment for both serious physical injuries and brain trauma.
Due to Deputy Benson’s tireless effort, pertinent evidence was gathered and the charge was upgraded to felony DUI causing serious bodily injury.
It is apparent that without Deputy Benson’s quick response and determination to locate the suspect vehicle, the suspect likely would have gotten away that day and the victim would not have seen justice.
Deputy Benson’s investigation went well beyond the typical responsibilities of a road patrol Deputy Sheriff. Deputy Benson demonstrated exceptional initiative by independently advancing the case using investigative techniques typically employed by experienced vehicle homicide investigators. Her dedication and proactive approach significantly elevated the quality of the investigation.
The quilt we award to Deputy Benson represents the gratitude of our community for her dedication to all of the citizens of Palm Beach County, regardless of their circumstances. Stitched into this quilt are the words “protect and serve,” Words that guide and define the exceptional officer Deputy Benson truly is. This quilt is a tangible representation of thanks and gratitude from our community to Lisa Benson, our hometown hero.
Deputy Sheriff Ryan Sanders
We recognize Deputy Ryan Sanders, whose commitment to traffic safety and the citizens of Mangonia Park has been apparent to his command but goes largely unnoticed due his behind the scenes involvement in various systems and processes that do not get recorded in police reports or logged in calls for service.
The backbone of any community is the trust residents have in local law enforcement and government services. Consistent enforcement of even the most mundane laws is, in fact, at the heart of public safety. This consistency, enforced on a daily basis, week after week, month after month strengthens the critical bond of trust essential to the health of the community.
Without being prompted Deputy Sanders frequently addresses safety concerns related to tractor trailers parking on main roadways, combats issues with school buses improperly loading/unloading students and/ortheir failure to stop properly for roadway crossings to protect students and maintains a vigilant eye onvehicles parked at the local Tri-Rail Station combating, vehicle theft, vandalism and suspicious activity byenforcing parking violations on the property.
The quilt Deputy Sanders received is our award for upholding the law and maintaining order in our community. His everyday actions, though sometimes unseen, make a significant difference in the lives of our residents, helping to ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone.
Communications Officer Kasey Thomas
November 21, 2024. This department, this community, our county suffered unimaginable loss. Throughout the tragic events that took place on Southern Boulevard that day, Communications Officer Thomas served as a voice of calm reassurance for the road units deeply affected. She conveyed help was on the way and offered a composed and supportive voice through each emotional moment. Despite distressing updates over the radio of the critical condition of her colleagues, Communications Officer Thomas remained focused, professional and empathetic. In the aftermath of that day, a request was made for a dispatcher to broadcast the final “10-7” call in honor of the fallen deputies. Steadfast in her dedication to her colleagues, Communications Officer Thomas delivered that final “10-7” at the memorial service with honor and respect.
The quilt we award today represents the gratitude of our community for your commitment to our county and to this department. On the back of your quilt, you will find a label that reads as follows: Handmade for Communication Officer Kasey Thomas in recognition of her outstanding service, dedication, composure and compassion on November 21, 2024. This quilt is a physical representation of thanks and gratitude from our community to you, our hometown hero.
Deputy Sheriff Evens Paulvil
On August 16, 2024 Deputy Paulvil responded to the burglary of a vehicle in Magnolia Park. During the course of his investigation, Deputy Paulvil contacted the business where the victim had parked their car and obtained video of the suspect committing the act, as well as footage of the subject inside the store. Deputy Paulvil dusted the vehicle for latent prints and submitted them to the Crime Lab for investigation. Deputy Paulvil completed a Need to Identify Bulletin, despite the suspect wearing a partial face covering. Probable cause was later confirmed through a positive identification based on a photo line up and the analysis of the fingerprints Deputy Paulvil submitted. Subsequently, Deputy Paulvil was able to apply for an arrest warrant and take the suspect into custody.
Furthermore, Deputy Paulvil has demonstrated dedication to helping his fellow man and has embraced his role in Homelessness Intervention. It is not uncommon for citizens experiencing homelessness to come to the District to meet with Deputy Paulvil. He has assisted several citizens with rides to shelters, and helped them pursue avenues of employment in the hopes of getting them off the street and into a better life.
By developing his own case and working it to its conclusion as well as his commitment to assist the less fortunate citizens in the Mangonia Park community, Deputy Paulvil has truly honored his oath to protect and serve.
The quilt we award today represents the gratitude of our community for your dedication and bravery and commitment to our county.
Deputy Sheriff Christopher Caudillo
At the end of April, 2024, Deputy Sherriff Caudillo responded to a call regarding possible child custody and abandonment. Deputy Sheriff Caudillo’s investigation revealed that a mother and her 18 month old child had arrived recently from Venezuela, and that within one day of arriving, the young mother had left the child in the custody of her cousin to take a nanny position she had found by word of mouth. The family had become concerned when the now absent mother’s communication became infrequent and that said she was “under the protection of the Orlando police” and that “someone would be by to pick up her son.”
Deputy Sheriff Caudillo sensed that there was more to the story, and where others may have felt their duty was complete by filing the proper report, Deputy Sheriff Caudillo did not rest and continued to pursue the case. Through his perseverance utilizing contacts and investigative experience, Deputy Sheriff Caudillo was able to discover leads that were then shared with other law enforcement organizations, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Orlando PD and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office human trafficking units. Confirming Deputy Sheriff Caudillo’s instincts, the mother in jeopardy was finally located in the custody of human trafficker during a Homeland Security raid in Orlando. But the story was not yet over. Likely filled with fear of what she had experienced, and further terrified of what could come next, she fled. Despite this, Deputy Sheriff Caudillo did not give up. On his personal time, he worked hard to locate her, communicate with her and finally earn her trust, bringing her back to her son. If it were not for his remarkable integrity, honor and steadfast commitment to duty, this mother and her child may have been lost to the horrific crime of human trafficking.
Communications Officer Valerie Conlin
On February 6, 2024, Communications Officer Valerie Conlin was working as the dispatcher for the South Region 1 talk group when she dispatched units to a call regarding a teenager who was making suicidal statements in the area. C/O Conlin sprang to action and sent units immediately to help locate her. C/O Conlin updated responding units with pertinent information, and the PBSO Aviation Unit ultimately located the teenager. The teen had attempted to take her own life. Communications Officer Valerie Conlin was an integral part of saving this individual’s life and getting the help she needed.
Deputy Sheriff Donna Korb
In early May of 2024, a call came in regarding an ocean swimmer in distress near Ocean Blvd. Deputy Sheriff Korb, on ATV patrol in the immediate area, observed the swimmer some 35 yds from shore, gasping for air and struggling to keep her head above water.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, combined with an outgoing tide, Deputy Sheriff Korb worked with residents to obtain a rescue float while she retrieved a throw rope from the ATV. Deputy Sheriff Korb then swam through the surf with little regard for her own safety, ultimately reaching the distressed swimmer.
With determination, she swam through the waves and tide to bring the female swimmer safely back to shore. Palm Beach Fire Rescue transported her to the hospital where she was ultimately found to have saltwater in her lungs.
For her exceptional bravery, professionalism, quick thinking and determination through a tough water rescue, Deputy Sheriff Donna Korb is worthy of a Life Saving Medal.
Kayai Graham
In August of 2023, Civilian Instructor Kayai Graham was on her mealbreak at Longhorn Steakhouse on Okeechobee Blvd. when she witnessed a medical emergency occuring at the restaurant.
An elderly female went into cardiac arrest, fell to the floor, and became unresponsive. Graham immediately took charge of the scene, rendering aid by starting CPR while instructing restaurant staff to call 911 for emergency assistance.
She maintained her lifesaving efforts and was able to revive the victim back to a conscious and responsive state by the time Palm Beach Fire REscue arrived. They transported the victim to the hospital where she survived the emergency.
For her quick and decisive action in a critcal situation, Civilian Instructor Kayai Graham has earned a Life Saving Medal.