Boy Scouts Recognize Sheriff's Office and Sheriff Grady Judd

The Boy Scouts of America's regional Greater Tampa Bay Area Council will honor local sheriff's offices with Participating Citizenship Awards in a series of virtual events from Oct. 26-28. The local Council previously honored Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd with the 2008 Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award for service to young people.

The Badge of Honor Virtual Event "recognizes the selfless service of local heroes" in the nine departments serving the Council's territory, including deputies of the Polk County Sheriff's Office, according to the Council's director of field service, Dwayne Jones. Local premieres of each county's honoree tribute will feature guest appearances by Senator Rick Scott, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers standout, Ronde Barber.

"The community wouldn't be what it is without law enforcement keeping our families safe," Holly Swenson, a parent with Troop 433, said.

Polk County's ceremony is slated to be streamed at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27. The Council will also recognize the sheriff's offices of Citrus, Sumter, Pasco, Hillsborough, Hernando and Highlands Counties during separate streamed ceremonies throughout the week.

"Through all of this, we are excited to know that many of the tenants of Scouting such as helping our neighbors, checking in on those in need, and putting others before ourselves has strengthened our sense of community and civic duty," Jones said. "Participating citizenship is at the foundation of the lessons learned in the Scouting programs."

The Boy Scouts of America partners with numerous agencies across the country to offer the Law Enforcement Exploring Program to young men and women ages 14 to 21. The program gives youth an experiential education of the criminal justice system through training and competition.

The Greater Tampa Bay Area Council also hosts the deputies of the sheriff's offices and state troopers during their regular training sessions at Sand Hill Scout Reservation's outdoor shooting ranges. Even police canines train on the property on occasion.

"Because of our relationship with the sheriffs, our shooting sports facilities are active and well maintained," Director of Camping Jason Borton said.

The event will also provide an opportunity for viewers to donate to support local programs like Exploring and traditional Scouting. According to the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council, this will help Scouting's districts and properties weather what has been a challenging year for all nonprofit organizations.

"The program does so much good for our youth by helping develop character and setting them on the right direction in life," District Executive Julie Diaz-Plante said. "We're hoping that our community will join us in the virtual event to honor our members of law enforcement and support local youth programs."

To watch any of the award streams, viewers can go to tampabayscouting.org and select "Badge of Honor," to find a complete schedule and links, or call 352-459-9375 for details.