2023 Award Winners

2023 Firefighter of the Year
Captain Matthew Grunke

Awarded for:

• Building an Elite Team: Leading the Special Operations Team to exceptional proficiency in diverse specialized skills, consistently demonstrating excellence in critical situations.
• Heroic Actions: While facing an ammonia leak, Captain Grunke displayed exceptional leadership and courage. His quick thinking, decisive actions, and filmed documentation of the leak led to a swift shut down, potentially saving lives.
• Inspiring Leadership: Fostering a positive and professional team culture within the Special Operations Team at Station 6, setting a shining example for the entire department.

Captain Grunke’s dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to public safety make him a true embodiment of the Firefighter of the Year. Captain Grunke became a firefighter with Boca Raton Fire Rescue on March 15, 2004. He has advanced through the ranks and was promoted to Captain on July 27, 2020. In addition to being a firefighter, Captain Grunke is a certified Paramedic and Hazardous Materials Technician.

2023 100 Club PBSO Deputy of the Year Deputy Denis Grischenko

During late 2022, Deputy Grischenko responded to a welfare check incident at 278 Burgundy F (Inc. # 22-00767975). Once there he made contact with 94 year old Alexsandra Augstkalns. She was found to be alright. Nonetheless, it was determined that Augstkalns lived alone, had mobility issues, and had limited financial resources. She had no family in the area, with the exception of an estranged daughter who lived in another state.

Deputy Grischenko continued to check in with Augstkalns during his patrols throughout 2023. Augstkalns, who is from Latvia, spoke Russian as does Deputy Grischencko; this allowed for him to develop a good rapport with her. He would make sure she had food to eat, and when it was determined she did not, he would often use his own money to buy her supplies. Moreover, he would assist her with minor issues around her home as well. All of this was done without any type of compensation, but out of a genuine concern to help an elderly resident in need.

During his contacts with Augstkalns, Deputy Grischenko learned of her desire to go back to her home country of Latvia. However, she did not have the financial means to do so. Therefore, Deputy Grischenko established contact with the U.S. Embassy in Latvia and secured a contact there. He shared Augstkalns plight with them, and was able to obtain airline tickets to Latvia for Augstkalns sponsored by the U.S. Embassy.

On August 30th, 2023 Deputy Grischenko, on his own time, thoroughly assisted Augstkalns with packing and getting her ready for her flight. He then transported her, in his personal vehicle, to the Miami International Airport and ensured she got on the plane safely. He has remained in contact with her while in Latvia, where he has learned she has gone through several medical procedures she was in need of. She is currently doing well.
Deputy Grischenko’s actions and dedication in this matter have gone above and beyond of what is expected. He has demonstrated a genuine and selfless interest in helping an elderly and vulnerable resident of our community. Actions like these must be valued and recognized

2023 Officer of the Year
Detective Stephanie Casas

The Boca Raton Police Services Department nominates Detective Stephanie Casas for the 100 Club Annual Award. Detective Casas began her law enforcement career in 2018 and from the start, she has been a proactive, thorough, and engaging officer. It is our pleasure to inform you that her outstanding work earned Detective Casas the department’s 2023 Officer of the Year award. 

In 2021, Detective Casas joined the Vice Intelligence & Narcotics (VIN) Unit and made a significant and immediate impact on the unit’s undercover operations and investigations. Her knowledge of social media platforms and the unique ways that people communicate on these platforms has allowed the VIN Unit to conduct investigations never before possible. Her adaptability, quick thinking, and intuition allow her to read situations, interact with potential targets and direct situations that result in pre-planned desired outcomes. Detective Casas’ undercover work is directly responsible for the arrests of several high-profile individuals responsible for distributing cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, LSD, MOMA, prescription pills and marijuana. 

One of Detective Casas’ best attributes is her always positive, never-say-die spirit. No matter how complex or daunting the task at hand, Detective Casas always rises to the challenge with optimism. Her desire to be the best at whatever she sets out to do and thirst to expand her knowledge led Detective Casas to take on the challenge of Human Trafficking Investigations. The Boca Raton Police Services Department’s VIN Unit has seen an increase in the number of human trafficking cases in the last year. These cases are complex, time-consuming and require a significant amount of training and resources to combat. They require a detective who has attention to detail, can think outside the box, and can most of all show empathy to the victims they are assisting. 

One of Detective Casas’ most notable cases in 2023 was a Human Trafficking case that she received the Officer of the Month for in July 2023. After a lengthy investigation led by Detective Casas, the BRPD VIN Unit arrested a subject on charges of Human Trafficking, Deriving Proceeds of Prostitution, and Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor. This was the result of an investigation that involved assistance from the Palm Beach County Human Trafficking Task Force, Office of Statewide Prosecution, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The investigation revealed that the target trafficked multiple women throughout Miami–Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Due to the magnitude of the case, Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office authored a press release in which she stated, “Thanks to the bravery of the survivors working with authorities and the investigative efforts of law enforcement, this predator will now face my Statewide Prosecutors.” The target was later sentenced to 19 years in state prison. 

Detective Casas spent numerous hours writing reports, subpoenas, search warrants and arrest warrants. She developed and utilized her professional relationships to coordinate the efforts of the local, state, and federal agencies that assisted. Detective Casas also had the significant task of logging all the evidence. Most impressively, Detective Casas was able to identify and give a voice to the victims in this case. It is difficult to express the commitment, tenacity, and empathy necessary to work these cases. It is one of the most difficult tasks that a detective and victim faces; uncovering the years of mental and physical abuse that many of these victims go through to bring their oppressors to justice. 

It is because of Detective Casas‘ work in this case that the Boca Raton Police Services Department was asked to participate and is now part of the Palm Beach County Human Trafficking Task Force. Detective Casas is the “go to” detective and reviews any case in Boca Raton that could have the potential for human trafficking. 

Detective Casas is also a member of the Boca Raton Police Services Department’s Underwater Search and Rescue Team. In addition to the numerous callouts and various work hours required for the VIN Unit, Detective Casas also answers the call when a diver is needed to search for victims or recover evidence. In 2023, she was part of a group commendation for her role in assisting the Delray Beach Police Department with a homicide investigation that required an underwater search. 

Detective Casas’ professionalism truly exemplifies the quality of the officers employed at the Boca Raton Police Services Department. Throughout her career and especially in 2023, Detective Casas has exhibited outstanding initiative and achievements through her work and has done so with the department’s mission, core values and strategic goals in mind.

2023 Trooper of the Year
Master Trooper Ronald F. Logan

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) nominates Master Trooper Ronald F. Logan for 100 Club Annual Award for
his continued unwavering dedication to the Florida Highway Patrol and to the citizens of Palm Beach County.
Trooper Logan began his career with FHP in January of 1997 and after graduating from the 97th FHP Recruit
Academy Class in June 1997, he began patrolling the roadways in Palm Beach County. In 2013 Trooper Logan
joined the FHP Criminal Interdiction Unit (CIU) continuing to work in Palm Beach County. He is partnered up
with a FHP K9 Handler and FHP K9 where they work as a team making Florida safer every day. He serves as a
Field Training Officer teaching and developing new State Troopers.

Most recently, Trooper Logan conducted two separate traffic stops during the same day which led to the arrest
of four murder suspects. The first traffic stop occurred at 7:30am and led to the arrest of the driver who was
wanted for murder. Approximately 10 hours later at 5:00pm, Trooper Logan conducted another traffic stop on
a vehicle with three occupants. Trooper Logan working with West Palm Beach Police Department, detained
the suspects and seized the vehicle. All three suspects later that day confessed to the murder of a pizza delivery
person and all were arrested. Trooper Logan’s action were instrumental in the apprehension of these 4 murder
suspects which were involved in two separate homicides.

Additionally in 2023, Trooper Logan made 21 drug arrests, 32 other felony arrests and 161 misdemeanor
arrests. He seized and removed 2,147 grams of cocaine, 1,612 grams of illegally possessed Marijuana, 2 grams
of Crack Cocaine, 15.5 grams of Meth, 423 grams of the extremely dangerous drug Fentanyl and 7 firearms.
Trooper Logan was also involved in 6 high speed vehicle pursuits resulting in the drivers arrests and the seizure
of two motorcycles and a Chevrolet Corvette.

Trooper Logan is passionate about serving the citizens and visitors of Florida and conveys this same passion to
the new FHP members he trains. He truly exemplifies the high standards of the Florida Highway Patrol and
what it means to be a Florida Highway Patrol State Trooper.