Senator Moody Honors Seven Florida Officers for Life-Saving Heroism

Senator Ashley Moody recognized seven law enforcement officers from South Florida on National First Responders Day today for extraordinary acts of bravery and lifesaving service. The honorees—drawn from Miami-Dade County, Homestead, Miami, and Bay Harbor Islands—each received a Florida's Finest Award from the senator in recognition of going above and beyond the call of duty.

Among those recognized was Miami-Dade County Sheriff's Deputy Leonard Cantave, who suffered life-threatening injuries in December 2025 when he pushed a fellow officer out of the path of an oncoming vehicle on Florida's Turnpike, taking the impact himself. Also honored was Homestead Police Officer Carston Addison, who rescued a child from a retention pond and later prevented the juvenile from self-harm during the same incident. Miami Police Officers David Alvarez-Daza and James Fraser were recognized for their quick thinking in resuscitating a seven-day-old infant who was unresponsive and unable to breathe during an emergency call on August 20.

"Florida's law enforcement officers work so hard to keep us safe, and it is always a privilege to thank them personally for all they do for Floridians," Moody said. The full group of honorees also included Miami Police Officers Sonia Augustin and Napoleon Workmond, and Town of Bay Harbor Islands Commander Tomas Rego.