Two local law enforcement officers will receive kudos in Tallahassee this week for their life-saving efforts.
DeSoto County Sheriff's Office Lt. Michael Bellflower and Charlotte County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Dave Musgrove will be honored by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday during the 2024 Florida Heroes’ Reception.
The event recognizes Floridians who have displayed selflessness and a commitment to help others.
Bellflower, a DeSoto County corrections officer since 2011, was honored for saving the life of a truck driver in June 2023.
He told the story of the rescue in a video accompanying his honor as the Florida Sheriffs Association's 2024 Corrections Officer of the Year.
Bellflower was driving to work around 7 a.m. on State Road 70. He recognized a truck hauling cattle as belonging to a friend he'd known since he was a teenager.
The truck was stopped at a red light, and when the light turned green the truck took off erratically.
Bellflower knew something was wrong with his friend.
He pulled off the roadway, put his flashers on and grabbed a window-breaking tool.
He got close to the vehicle and could see the driver was in medical distress.
Bellflower jumped onto the truck. The cab was locked. Holding onto the side mirror with one hand, he tried to break the window with his other hand.
The tool didn't break the window, so he just beat it with his hand until it broke.
Meanwhile, the truck drifted from the eastbound lanes of State Road 70, crossing the median and the westbound lanes before striking a ditch and entering the parking lot of a shopping center.
Bellflower was finally able to stop the truck. He stayed with his friend until paramedics arrived.
He was credited with saving lives on one of the county's busiest roads. As well as his friend.
“He hugged me and said, 'I’m still mad at you for breaking my glass,'” Bellflower recalled with a laugh.
DeSoto County authorities praised his efforts.
“It is undeniable that Lt. Bellflower’s presence on Highway 70 that morning was no mistake," said DeSoto County Sheriff James Potter in a statement on the DCSO website. "He was put there at that time for a reason and, because of his courage and bravery, a potentially tragic accident was avoided and everyone in harm’s way made it home safely to their families.”
In hindsight, Bellflower was humble about the situation.
"I can’t put into words how satisfying it is to help the community that helped me so many times," he said.
The other honoree, Charlotte County Sgt. Dave Musgrove, was hailed as a hero recently for saving the life of an infant involved in a fatal crash.
The wreck happened on Feb. 8 at State Road 776 and Regina Road in Englewood.
A motorcycle crashed into an SUV, hurtling its rider through the SUV's back window. The wreck killed the motorcyclist.
The body of the motorcyclist struck 6-month-old Lola Foley.
Musgrove, who was on patrol and saw the crash, stopped to help.
Lola's mother, Kayliegh, begged him to help her daughters.
Musgrove grabbed 3-year-old Ariel from her booster seat and waved down a good Samaritan to watch her while he attended to the baby.
But Lola, with a dead man on top of her, wasn't breathing.
Musgrove gave Lola CPR until she could be airlifted to a hospital.
Lola suffered skull fractures among other injuries and spent more than a week in intensive care.
During Lola's recovery, Musgrove checked in on her. He's practically become part of the family.
"Going forward, I would love to continue being a part of her life," he previously told The Daily Sun. "We really made a personal connection."
DeSantis will also honor two boat captains from Southwest Florida for helping in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.
Chris Wittman and Daniel Andrews, of Captains for Clean Water, provided boats to evacuate residents from Pine Island and brought coolers ice to those without power, according to a news release.
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