2025 Award Winners

On December 17, 2025, Deputies noticed possible fireworks or a gun being fired from the Walmart parking lot on 441. They encountered a distraught subject sitting in a vehicle who began throwing lit explosives at deputies who were trying to help him. The subject’s father and dog, Kalua, had managed to escape from the vehicle and were standing by with deputies. Deputy Travis Satterfield was on scene and provided lethal cover with his M15 rifle to protect deputies and others in the area from the explosives. Unfortunately, the subject chose to end his life using the explosives on himself. This was witnessed by the father, who had been homeless with his son in the car.

The father and dog were now stranded, standing in the parking lot with nowhere to go following the tragic incident. Deputy Satterfield could not just leave the father standing on the street after witnessing his son take his own life. Deputy Satterfield quickly transitioned his role from lethal cover to helping the father and dog. He had just attended the recent Homeless Intervention training class and used his contacts to get help. Deputy Satterfield utilized his resources and was able to arrange a temporary shelter for the dog at animal care and control. He then arranged a voluntary admittance to a mental health facility to help the father grieve. The father agreed to admit himself into the treatment center.

The Homeless Intervention Team was also contacted to help further, including obtaining a rental car for the father and Kalua to head back to New Jersey and providing free cremation of the son. Deputy Satterfield’s actions, both tactical and caring, led to the father and Kalua being safely reunited with family in New Jersey, and they are now no longer homeless. His ability to quickly shift from a dangerous situation involving live explosives to providing exceptional care and compassion is why Deputy Satterfield has been selected as the 2025 Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office 100 Club Deputy of the Year.

In January of 2025, Officer George Reid responded to a call for a stabbing that just occurred, with no suspect information provided. Upon arrival, the suspect surprised Officer Reid, unsheathed a machete, and advanced towards him. With almost no time to react, Officer Reid deployed his TASER, which temporarily incapacitated the suspect long enough to disarm him of the machete.

Officers then attempted to place the suspect under arrest. During a violent struggle, the suspect was able to get his hand on Officer Reid’s firearm and dislodge it from the holster just enough to fire a round without getting it completely out of the holster. Struggling with the suspect, Officer Reid was able to regain control and force his firearm back into the holster while the suspect still had a hold of it.

The violent struggle continued now with three officers involved, and the suspect again attempted to remove another officer’s weapon from his holster while yelling in a demonic voice, “execute them.” After several tense minutes, the suspect was finally safely secured with no injuries to the suspect or the officers involved.

It was later learned that in an unprovoked attack, the suspect struck a person in the face with the machete, which caused serious facial injury.

We are proud to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of Officer Reid’s commendable handling of a life-threatening and exceptionally violent incident. His professionalism, restraint, and unyielding commitment to preserving life stood out as exemplary in a situation fraught with extreme danger, and his actions are deserving of recognition and honor.

Highland Beach Fire Rescue is proud to announce that Firefighter-Paramedic Raynier Charafardin has been selected as the 2025 Firefighter of the Year. This award recognizes a member who consistently goes above and beyond in their service to the community.

Firefighter Charafardin was chosen for his major contributions to the department’s emergency medical services and fire reporting systems. He managed the implementation of new electronic patient care records and is currently leading the rollout of a specialized pediatric emergency care system.

Beyond his technical work, Charafardin is recognized for his clinical excellence. This past year, his quick actions during a cardiac arrest call saved a patient’s life, marking his second life-saving “save” in eighteen months.

“Ray is a pleasure to work with and always has a friendly, positive attitude toward our citizens,” said Captain Robert Kruse. Captain Chris Zidar added that Charafardin’s work ethic and leadership have had a “profound and lasting impact” on the department’s efficiency.

Firefighter Charafardin continues to advance his skills, recently completing state certifications in fire engine and ladder truck operations. He remains dedicated to mentoring new firefighters to ensure the highest standard of care for Highland Beach residents.