KISSIMMEE, Fla. — A Kissimmee police officer with 20 years of experience has sharpened his skills to receive a big promotion, and he did it with the memory of his fallen brothers as inspiration.
In 2018, Lt. Omar Berrio was selected as the first recipient of the Sergeant Richard “Sam” Howard and Officer Matthew Baxter Memorial Scholarship.
The full scholarship was created to honor the legacy of the two officers, who lost their lives in a 2017 shooting while patrolling a Kissimmee neighborhood.
Berrio used the scholarship to further his education and is now set to receive a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Florida Technical College this spring.
One of the requirements for the lieutenant position is to have an associate degree or 60 college credits, which he completed last year.
Berrio’s career started with six years in the Marines, including one tour of duty in Iraq.
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He worked his way through the ranks of the Kissimmee police, starting as a patrol officer and serving in traffic enforcement, the SWAT team, criminal investigations, tactical enforcement, special investigations and internal affairs during his 21 years with the department.
“We were honored to partner with Florida Technical College for their generosity in creating this scholarship in the memory of Kissimmee Police Sergeant Sam Howard and Officer Matthew Baxter,” said Kissimmee police Chief Jeff O’Dell. “I am extremely proud of Lt. Omar Berrio and believe he was an outstanding choice for the opportunity to complete his bachelors in Criminal Justice with an emphasis on Homeland Security. I’m looking forward to attending his graduation this spring and am excited to see the impact this opportunity has on his already stellar career.”
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Following his graduation this spring, Berrio said he will continue to serve the residents of Kissimmee and further his career.
“My dream is to become a police captain,” he said.