Manatee 100 Club chose Manatee County Deputy Willie Finklea as the 2017 Officer of the Year May 17 at an award dinner in Bradenton.
Nine agencies serving Manatee County sent their nominees for Officer of the Year to the support organization for officers and their families, which annually recognizes local law enforcement.
Finklea was nominated for exemplary service Aug. 8, 2017, according to an MCSO news release.
Off duty, Finklea saved two people trapped in a vehicle on Moccasin Wallow Road, east of Interstate 75, after seeing smoke billow from the car. He called 911, shot a hole in a window and kicked a door open so the couple could escape before flames engulfed the vehicle.
From police departments on Anna Maria Island, Holmes Beach Officer Joel Pierce and Bradenton Beach Officer Eric Hill were selected as nominees for Officer of the Year.
Hill was nominated for his professionalism while responding to a man who had threatened suicide and then threatened officers Dec. 30, 2017, in Anna Maria. Hill shot the man, who wielded a knife and hatchet at law enforcement. The man has since recovered.
BBPD Chief Sam Speciale commended Hill for his professionalism “during an extremely stressful situation.”
Pierce was recognized for apprehending a fleeing felon and making a burglary arrest.
“Officer Pierce has made the city of Holmes Beach a safer place to live and visit due to his outstanding police work and proactive patrolling,” HBPD Chief Bill Tokajer said.