Hometown Heroes
Community Quilts
Hometown Heroes Community Quilts
The Palm Beach Modern Quilt Guild is committed to helping our community in a meaningful way. The Palm Beach MQG is honored to partner with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office to award Hometown Hero Community Quilts to honor outstanding Officers in the PBCSO.
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
Deputy Sheriff Donna Korb
In early May of this year, 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.
