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Sarasota News Leader August 2, 2013 Page 68 SHERIFF'S OFFICE AVIATION UNIT HONORED AT CONFERENCE The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit won third-place honors in the FLIR Vision Awards presented at the 2013 Airborne Law Enforcement Association annual conference in Orlando, the office has announced. The Air-1 crew safely guided deputies toward the suspects, who were hiding in a lake, and warned officers of potential hazards, including alligators, the release points out. The Sheriff's Office video was chosen from more than 40 entries; it showed the pursuit and capture of five suspects in a jewelry store robbery on Nov. 6, 2012, the release notes. In the video, the suspects can be seen scattering near the PGT Industries headquarters and Interstate 75 "after they bailed from their vehicle," the release adds. As part of the award, a $1,000 donation is made on behalf of the aviation unit to the charitable organization of its choice. In the Sheriff's Office unit's case, that is the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches. The crew that night was Deputy/Pilot Dave The FLIR Vision Awards are given annually to Bouffard and Deputy/Pilot Brent Wineka. The airborne law enforcement teams with the best Aviation Unit includes a total of four pilots videos of rescue, apprehension or surveillance and seven tactical flight officers, the release missions, a news release says. says. To view the award-winning video visit the Sheriff's Office's YouTube channel or click here. Deputy/Pilot David Bouffard (left) and Deputy/Pilot Brent Wineka display their awards. Contributed photo