The St. Lucie Sheriff’s Office promoted 10 sergeants, lieutenants and captains at one ceremony – the most at one time in its history.
“I know this road has been very hard,” Sheriff Ken Mascara told the promoted at the ceremony on last Wednesday.
Among the promoted were two in the St. Lucie Voice coverage area. St. Lucie West resident Matt Briglia made sergeant after 17 years with the department. Tradition’s Chris Cicio is now a captain. He started with the department in 1993.
At the ceremony, Briglia reminded folks of one of his qualities.
“As many of you know, I’m a man of few words,” he said.
And Briglia was true to the statement. He spent about a minute thanking his family and co-workers for their help. Briglia added that there was much more work ahead for him.
“I know it’s not a time to sit back and relax,” he said. Among Briglia’s many honors is a recognition from Mothers Against Drunk Drivers for arresting more than 100 intoxicated drivers. Additionally, Briglia has been named among the American Legion’s law enforcement officers of the year.
Cicio has served in numerous positions at the Sheriff’s Office, including leading the school resource officer program. Cicio was integral in developing the county’s school safety protocol Code Red. Cicio, Mascara said, has headed up numerous training programs at the department. He’s also a bomb technician who’s invested more than 200 suspected explosive devices. “He’s also a member of our agency’s SWAT team and has served as a backup chaplain,” Mascara said.
It turned out that making captain cost Cicio $100. He’d bet against himself getting the promotion.
“When the Sheriff called me in and told me I was being promoted to captain, I literally looked at him and questioned his decision,” Cicio told the promotion ceremony attendees.
Cicio said he was more impressed by his peers than himself. “I can tell you it’s been a team effort,” he said.
Port St. Lucie’s Brian Hester was also promoted to captain. Four made lieutenant: Brian Buchko; Petri Hayes; Jamie Willis; and John Parow. Three others made sergeant: Keith Pearson; Denetta Johnson; and Rob Barton.
The 10 have among them 177 years of service to the Sheriff’s Office. The department has 700 employees, counting sworn officers and civilian workers. Only one of the promotions is for a new position. Retirements created the remaining openings.
