Thompson named officer of the year

Longboat Key Police Sergeant Randy Thompson was named the department’s officer of the year for a third time this week.

Thompson, a Key police officer for 20 years, was honored for a Dec. 12 incident in which he was able to restrain a suspect that was threatening several neighbors with a gun in the 3700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive.

When the suspect began to back his way back into his home, Thompson holstered his weapon and engaged the suspect physically, preventing the suspect from entering the home. Thompson was then able to restrain the suspect.

Backup officers, which Thompson called before engaging the suspect, stated the suspect had a gun on him and guns inside his home.

“Sergeant Thompson’s quick action and willingness to place himself in harm’s way prevented the situation from escalating further,” wrote Deputy Police Chief Frank Rubino in a Feb. 27 nomination letter to the Venice-based Sons of the American Revolution.

It was later determined the suspect had an active injunction for protection against domestic violence, which prohibited him from possessing a firearm.

“Victims provided statements indicating they were placed in immediate fear for their lives,” Rubino said.

Thompson will be honored along with the officers of the year in other area departments later this month. Thompson was also named the department’s officer of the year in 2007 and 2009.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].