Polk County Deputy To Receive Deputy Sheriff Of The Year Award From National Sheriffs’ Association

POLK COUNTY -- Deputy Andrew Vitalis has been selected to receive the prestigious Deputy Sheriff of the Year Award from the National Sheriffs’ Association, according to a press release from the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Press Release

I am honored to announce that Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Vitalis was selected to receive the prestigious Deputy Sheriff of the Year Award, from the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA). Deputy Vitalis will receive this award in June at the NSA conference in Phoenix Arizona.

Deputy Vitalis is recognized for this award from his work in solving the 7-year-old cold case hit and run crash in the Round Lake Community that killed Richard Cobenais and Benjamin Juarez.

The NSA gives two Deputy Sheriff of the Year awards annually, one is for Merit, the other for Valor. Vitalis will receive the Merit award which is for innovation in Law Enforcement that benefits their community.

Vitalis had the idea to produce a video highlighting this cold case and work in partnership with the St. Croix Tribal Police.

The video ultimately led to a tip that brought closure to this case and our community.

- Per Brent Waak, Polk County Sheriff

Also See: ‘Positive Tuesday’ W/ Ben & Fitzy - Special Guest: Sheriff Waak