Bradenton Beach Police Officer Mike Bazell is a 2014 nominee for the Manatee 100 Club officer-of-the-year award.
BBPD Chief Sam Speciale made the nomination based on Bazell’s work in apprehending a suspect in a March 4, 2014, vehicle theft.
A motorist driving a stolen pickup truck in Bradenton had left more than 20 crashes in his wake as Manatee County Sheriff’s Office pursued him as he drove toward Bradenton Beach on Cortez Road West.
Bazell encountered the truck, stopped by traffic west of the Cortez Bridge, as it was about to enter the city.
Gun drawn, Bazell approached the vehicle, ordered the driver to show his hands and smashed the window with his gun. He then pulled the motorist to the ground, assisted by BBPD Detective Sgt. Lenard Diaz, and made the arrest.
Bazell described the experience as “one of the most exhilarating things I’d done in a long time.”
Speciale said, “For Mike to leave the safety of his vehicle and stop that guy took a lot of intestinal fortitude.”
“He took his life in his hands for the safety of others. That’s what our force is all about,” he added.
The Manatee 100 Club supports law enforcement and their families and annually honors the officers.
For the past eight years, Bazell has worked as a full-time officer with the city of Bradenton Beach. He served three years on its reserves. He previously worked for the Bradenton Police Department.
The Manatee 100 Club will hold an awards dinner and ceremony for nominated officers May 14 at the Renaissance in Bradenton.