Destroyed Military Service Medals Replaced By Sheriff’s Office

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — When the ribbons and medals from a Sarasota County woman’s years of service with the U.S. Army were destroyed in a crime, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office got to work replacing them for her.

Sheriff Kurt Hoffman presented the replaced commendations to the veteran, whose name and image aren’t being released because she was the victim of a crime, in a private ceremony Monday, the sheriff’s office shared on social media Monday.

It was an emotional moment, the SCSO said, as the woman “accepted the ribbons from her decorated military career” in tears.

It took some effort for the sheriff’s office to reissue these items for the veteran.

“It took some digging, a review of her DD 214, and a search far and wide for a North Carolina National Guard ribbon to put this all together,” SCSO said.

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The agency’s Veterans Liaison Colonel Ben Knisely, Victim Advocate Amber Haller and Detective Joshua Rizzo worked to collect these items for the woman.