Special to Caloosa Belle Independent
LABELLE — On Monday, April 11, 2022, Sheriff Steve Whidden swore in five new employees to the Hendry County Sheriff’s (HCSO) Office.
Deputy Rick Notaro is a 30 year veteran Law Enforcement Officer, who retired from Ft. Myers Police Department. He began his career as a graduate from SW Florida Public Service Academy in 1992. He was first employed at Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Notaro also worked for Hendry County Sheriff’s Office in 1997 as an Investigator in the Criminal Investigation Division. In addition, he was an Instructor at the Public Safety Academy in Ft. Myers for 15 years. Notaro also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. He will be assigned as a Trainer for the Guardian Program for HCSO.
Deputy Michael McNally comes to HCSO with approximately four years law enforcement experience from New York. McNally attended and graduated from Chipola College Law Enforcement Academy in Tallahassee, and is currently a Florida Certified Law Enforcement Officer. He also holds an Associate’s Degree in Individuals Studies with an emphasis in Business. McNally is currently assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol unit.
Deputy Juan Castro is a 2020 graduate of the SW Florida Public Safety Academy. He is also assigned to the Road Patrol unit.
Correctional Officer Sergio Rodriguez is a graduate of Clewiston High School and four-year graduate of the Clewiston High School Public Service Academy. He attended the Miami-Dade Public Safety Institute in the field of Corrections and graduated in 2021. He is assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Jail.
Correctional Officer Caesar Cabenas is from Montura and also a Clewiston High School graduate. He completed three years in the Clewiston High School Public Service Academy. Caesar also attended and graduated the SW Florida Public Safety Academy. He was employed three years at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and two years at the Moore Haven Correctional Facility. Officer Cabenas is currently assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Jail.
HCSO also welcomes Lydia Rivera who will be the first face that greets you when you come into the main office. She is excited to be the new receptionist and will be able to assist you in both English and Spanish. She is looking forward to helping meet the needs of community and staff.
![LaBELLE -- Lydia Rivera has joined Hendry County Sheriff's Office as the receptionist for the main office. At right is Sheriff Steve Whidden. [Photo courtesy HCSO]](/uploads/original/20220414-163437-hendry county new deputies2.jpg)
