Citrus County FHP Trooper Curtis Vaughn named Trooper of the Year
Tallahassee, Florida - On December 15, Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet passed a resolution recognizing Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Trooper Curtis Vaughn as the FHP Trooper of the Year. Trooper of the Year is awarded to a deserving member of the Florida Highway Patrol for their courage, service, and protection, to ensure the safety and well-being of Floridians and visitors.
“Trooper Vaughn displayed outstanding gallantry in the apprehension of a suspect committing a criminal act. I am honored to serve with dedicated and courageous troopers like Trooper Vaughn, who selflessly put their lives on the line every day to protect the residents of our great state,” said Colonel Gene Spaulding, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “FHP is grateful to Governor DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet for sponsoring this special recognition.”
“The bravery demonstrated by Trooper Vaughn is commendable and exemplifies the core values of the Florida Highway Patrol – courtesy, service, and protection,” said Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle (FLHSMV) Executive Director Terry L. Rhodes. “I thank Governor DeSantis and members of the Florida Cabinet for providing this well-deserved recognition to Trooper Vaughn and for their continuous support of our troopers who faithfully serve the citizens and visitors of Florida each day.”
On April 28, 2019, Trooper Vaughn responded to a request by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office regarding an active pursuit where the suspect had attempted to run over multiple Citrus County deputies. Trooper Vaughn and two other troopers intercepted the pursuit in the area of U.S. Route 41 and East Sunray Lane in Citrus County, where Trooper Vaughn assumed the primary position.
The GPS tracking devices deployed by Trooper Vaughn on to the driver’s vehicle failed to operate effectively, requiring Trooper Vaughn to use pursuit intervention techniques ("PIT" maneuvers). It became evident to Trooper Vaughn and the two additional troopers, that the driver was familiar with FHP pursuit tactics, and the suspect’s vehicle, a Ford F250 truck, was much heavier than the patrol units being operated by the FHP troopers, making the PIT maneuvers more difficult and dangerous to perform.
During the pursuit, the suspect fired at least three rounds of ammunition through the rear window of his vehicle at the troopers, with one round striking and shattering the front windshield of an assisting trooper. Trooper Vaughn was fearless in his pursuit, despite the gunshots aimed at the troopers, and he successfully stopped the vehicle which resulted in the apprehension of the suspect.
The Trooper of the Year award was created in 1965 by the Florida Petroleum Council to recognize Florida Highway Patrol Troopers for the work they do each day to ensure A Safer Florida.