Volusia Law Firm Sponsors 13th Annual Crime Stoppers Banquet

Four Area Crime Stoppers Named “Officers of the Year”

PORT ORANGE – The personal-injury law firm of Rue & Ziffra recently helped sponsor the 13th annual Crime Stoppers Community Banquet during National Police Week as Crime Stoppers recognized four top tier crime fighters as “Officers of the Year.”

Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida recognized the four individuals – one from each county in the 7th Judicial District – from a slate of 19 nominees from law enforcement agencies in Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties for their distinguished accomplishments and outstanding service to the community during the past year.

“We couldn’t be more proud to sponsor an event to honor the dedicated men and women who make such a difference in our communities and in our lives,” said Allan L. Ziffra, president of the Port Orange-based law firm.

Those selected and their respective counties were:

•Volusia County – Officer Nicholas Gurucharri, Daytona Beach Police Department
•Putnam County – Det. Robert Smith Jr., Putnam County Sheriff’s Office
•Flagler County – Inv. James Parker, Office of the State Attorney, 7th Judicial Circuit
•St. Johns County – Det. Laurie-Ann Lucas, St. Augustine Beach Police Department

This year’s banquet, held May 18 in Daytona Beach coincided with National Police Week, when law enforcement officers are recognized nationwide for their service and sacrifice.
Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida works with law enforcement agencies in the 7th Judicial Circuit by providing the Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line in Volusia, Flagler, Putnam and St John counties to receive anonymous information to help solve crimes, according to Shira Johnson, executive director of Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida.

In 2010, 173 arrests were made based on information anonymously given to Crime Stoppers, which has a mission “To Solve and Prevent Crime through Citizen Participation,” Johnson said.
For more information about Crime Stoppers, call 386-212-6543 or click on www.WeStopCrime.com.

For more information about this release, please contact: Jessica Eckelbarger, Marketing Manager, Rue & Ziffra, 386-788-7700 or Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-532-8862, 407-644-4142.