Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association

So many deputies have lost their homes from Charlotte and Lee counties all the way across the state to Volusia county. These brave men and women do not have the option to evacuate. They are required to be in the area and keep the rest of us safe. Your donation will go directly to a deputy and their family for temporary housing, as they continue to serve in their devastate communities, even though their homes have been destroyed

Please consider helping the Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association, Sheriff Bobby   McCallum and the entire Levy County Sheriff Office support the family of Lt.         Duane Dykstra after his sudden and unexpected passing over the weekend.    Your donation no matter the amount will be greatly appreciated and 100% will go to     the family to help them during this difficult time. 

Monday morning, Sheriff McCallum was sad to report the death of LCSO Lt.           Duane Dykstra (47).  Lt. Dykstra was the Commander of the Criminal Investigations Division.  Lt. Dykstra had more than 25 years of law enforcement experience.  During his long career at LCSO, he worked as a Dispatcher, a patrol deputy, a K9  handler, a Narcotics Investigator and SWAT Team member.  He had been the CID Commander since February of 2016. 

Lt. Dykstra failed to return from a deer hunting trip on Saturday morning.  He was later found deceased in Goethe State Forest near the intersection of CR 337 and SR 121.  Lt. Dykstra appears to have died from natural causes and foul play is not  suspected.  The incident is being investigated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife        Commission and the Office of the Medical Examiner Florida District Eight. 

Gadsden Count SO Deputy Harold Battles was in a vehicle accident on February 23, 2020 and suffered serious injuries to his hip, pelvis area, ribs and head.  He went through surgery to repair damages caused by the accident.  He has very little movement in his left leg and has developed pneumonia and has a blood clot in his lungs.  Deputy Battles has been employed with the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office for over 8 years and was recently promoted to Sergeant.  Our prayers go out to Deputy Battles and his family during this most challenging and difficult time.  We are requesting your support and donations to assist Officer Battles and his family.  Thank you and we wish Deputy Battles a speedy recovery.

Deputy Dean Bardes
                       (May 21, 1969 – January 2, 2018)

The Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association and Lee County  Sheriff’s Office mourn the untimely death of Deputy Dean Bardes. Please help us Lend-A-Hand to his surviving family by donating - any amount you can is appreciated. FDSA’s Lend-A-Hanf Fund will donate the first $1,000 to this campaign. 

He is survived by his wife, Bernadette, daughter Marissa (26 y/o), son Justin (21 y/o), father, Ben, mother, Carol, sister, Debra and brother, Keith.

He started at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office 8/9/2004 and his last assignment was with the Traffic Unit.

— Repsectfully,  Keith Dean, Executive Director

Deputy Displacement Fund - this is a new fund established by the Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association Lend-A-Hand fund specifically for Florida Deputies in Franklin, Bay, Holmes, Washington, Gulf, Walton, Jackson, Calhoun, Gadsden, Liberty, Leon and ALL of North Florida counties who have suffered a loss resulting of this week's catastrophic Hurricane Michael. This fund will be use solely to help deputies with storm-caused needs such as emergency repairs, temporary housing and other unexpected expenses.

Please join Sheriff Mark Hunter, the entire Columbia County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association in lending a helping hand to Detention Deputy Demarcus Graham. Deputy Graham is struggling with very serious kidney-related complications and we are helping out with the out-of-pocket expenses required for the treatment he desperately needs.  FDSA's Board of Directors have contributed the first $1,000 and we appreciate any amount that you can give to help this very dedicated deputy in need.
                       - Respectfully, Keith Dean Executive Director

Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association asks for your assistance to help the family of Highlands County Deputy Sheriff William Gentry Jr. who was tragically killed in the line of duty over the weekend. Deputy Gentry is survived by his parents and brother who is also a HSCO Deputy Sheriff. We are assisting them with final and unexpected travel expenses incurred  to be with Gentry before he succumbed to his injuries.   Any financial assistance you can provide will be appreciated. Our hearts go out to the family, Sheriff Blackman and the entire HCSO.
On behalf of the FDSA Board of Directors and Staff, thank you - Keith Dean, Executive Director.