Detention deputy helps clean up county

Posted 4/20/22

Meet Detention Deputy Richard Long. You may see him cleaning up the community with our work crew.

 

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already have an account? Log in to continue. Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

Please log in to continue

Log in
I am anchor

Detention deputy helps clean up county

Posted
OKEECHOBEE -- Meet Detention Deputy Richard Long. You may see him cleaning up the community with our work crew.
 
Recently Dep. Long has a young man in his neighborhood that he has seen riding up and down the roadway on a toddler's bike for the past six months.
 
The young man is always kind waving at everyone, getting off the roadway when cars are coming and just a good hearted young man from what Dep. Long could see.
 
This young man is about three times as big as the bicycle, and it was constantly causing the bike's chain to break and other issues.
 
Dep. Long would always see him on the side of the road, stop and help him out, and receive thanks from the polite young man. Recently Dep. Long asked the man about a new bike and the family just couldn't afford one. With a big smile, the young man said, "It's okay, you help me every time it breaks", and the two laughed.
 
Dep. Long knew this bike was not safe or practical for this young man. Dep. Long was looking for a solution, and we reached out to our Bicycle Rodeo partners, Phillip DeBerard - Injury Attorney, to see if they could help out.
 
Michelle and Phillip immediately said yes before getting the entire story out. Just like that, the young man is now riding a SAFE bike that fits him and will not break down on him.
 
Thank you, Deputy Long, for being a stand-up guy and thinking about others, and we also thank Phillip DeBerard for all of their help and support with the bicycle rodeo.
 
PS - In July, OCSO, OPD, and OCFR will be partnering up for the second Okeechobee Emergency Services Bicycle Rodeo, so get your kiddos ready we will be announcing dates soon.
 
We are always looking for sponsors. Please call 863-763-3117 Ext 5018
OCSO, Phillip D. Berard

Comments

x