May 20, 2013
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Two St. Petersburg police officers are being honored as Florida's best.
Attorney General Pam Bondi on Wednesday named Sgt. Karl Lounge and Officer Douglas Weaver as the state's 2012 Law Enforcement Officers of the Year.
Lounge and Weaver were cited for their bravery in a shootout with a fugitive that resulted in the deaths of two other officers in January 2011.
Sgt. Thomas Baitinger and Officer Jeffrey Yaslowitz were killed while helping serve a warrant. The fugitive, Hydra Lacy Jr., also died during the shootout.
The attorney general annually names an officer or officers of the year from nominees submitted by various law enforcement organizations.
The Fraternal Order of Police nominated Lounge and the Florida Police Chiefs Association nominated Weaver.
