In July, 2010, Richard Werner was battered by four suspects as he rode his bicycle around Lake Morton. Officer Adam Williams was jogging at the time and, with the aid of a good Samaritan, Monica Gonzalez, was able to assist Mr. Werner. Lakeland Police officers were able to apprehend all four suspects and take them into custody. During the course of the investigation, it was learned that Mr. Werner is handicapped and unable to obtain a driver’s license. Mr. Werner depends on his bicycle for transportation, and because of limited funds, is unable to ride the bus. Mr. Werner’s bicycle has no brakes and is missing a part of the seat, yet he still rides it everywhere he needs to go.
As a result of the publicity from this incident, members of the community came forward, and a special presentation was held on Friday, August 13, 2010, at 9:00 am, at the Lakeland Police Department, 219 N Massachusetts Avenue. ACOP Bill LePere opened the presentation and introduced Richard to the media.
Citrus Connection Executive Director, Danny Ours, and Marketing Manager, Cathy Wolosin, along with other members of Citrus Connection presented Richard with a bus pass, that includes carrying Richard's bicycle on the bus rack. Citrus bus personnel also showed Richard how to attach the bike to the bike rack, and presented him with free bus pass tickets.
Officer Adam Williams presented Richard with new bicycle that came from an anonymous donor. The bicycle was equipped with a bike lock, and lights. Officer Williams also presented Richard with a bicycle helmet dotnated by the Victim's Assistance Unit of the Lakeland Police Department.
Richard was very appreciative and grateful for this gift. He said it will be really nice to have brakes on his bike, and he won't have to drag his feet to stop his bike anymore! For the rest of us in the crowd, I think we all enjoyed this as much or more then Richard did. It is such a great opportunity as a public information officer to be working on a "good news" story, and to see the community come together like this. Richard's happiness and good spirits permeated the whole crowd. I think we all felt that our lives were just bit better after meeting and knowing Richard.
Sergeant Terri Smith
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