Update on injured CCSO Deputy Andy Lahera
Photo graphic of Dep. Lahara courtesy of CCSO.
Citrus County, Florida - "It's been eight weeks since Andy's tragic accident occurred," said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "I was at the hospital with Andy and his wife, Michelle, on Monday. Michelle and I were on four different radio shows where she expressed her family's eternal gratitude for all their support to her and their sons, Nicholas and Vincent, while they attend to Andy. Michelle has asked me to share with you that the transition into the new hospital has been smooth. The nurses and doctors, along with the administrators and support staff, have all been amazing. Andy remains fever free and off of the ventilator, but he has still not woken up from the trauma. The family greatly appreciates all of your prayers for Andy's recovery and feels immensely blessed to know that you are with them during this challenging time. Michelle's only ask of you is that you continue to pray for Andy's brain to heal and for him to wake up."
The Florida Deputy Sheriff's Association has launched a GoFundMe for the Lahera family, and kicked it off with a generous $1,000 donation. If you would like to send a donation to the Lahera family, please do so at this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/florida-deputy-sheriffs-assn-fund-for-Lahera?fbclid=IwAR1gZWw3dDOjgzSppAcMsTf14UBI_7MVpcZsgiK5OIOnsAcb9Qj3Cxk6LdE.
"Thank you to our community for your unwavering support," said Sheriff Prendergast.
If you would like to send a card (no money or flowers, please) to Deputy Lahera, please mail or drop it off to the CCSO Headquarters:
Citrus County Sheriff's Office
ATTN: Deputy Andy Lahera
1 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.
Inverness, FL 34450.
Deputy Lahera, a 14-year law enforcement veteran, was a School Resource Deputy at Lecanto Middle School prior to being struck by a vehicle at 9:05 pm on Tuesday evening, May 23, 2023, while he and other deputies were directing traffic in Lecanto, Florida following the Lecanto High School graduation ceremony. His injuries included numerous broken bones, abrasions, and internal injuries. He was flown by helicopter to the Emergency and Trauma Center at Tampa General Hospital in Tampa, Florida. On July 7, Deputy Lahera was transferred from the trauma center to an area hospital for more aggressive physical and occupational therapy.