TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis presented Trooper Horlkins Saget of the Florida Highway Patrol with a Cabinet Resolution honoring his service and recognizing him as the 2020 Trooper of the Year.
 
CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “It was my pleasure to present Trooper Saget with a resolution today honoring him as the 2020 Trooper of the Year. In my opinion, Florida’s law enforcement officers perform one of the toughest jobs in the world – they respond to the calls, they keep our communities safe, and they run towards danger when others are running away. These brave men and women answer the call 24 hours a day 365 days a year. During holidays, birthdays and anniversaries – these heroes are always ready to fight for Floridians. Trooper Saget is no different, as he put his own life at risk to protect others and I could not be more grateful for his selfless service. Congratulations to Trooper Saget on this tremendous achievement and thank you to our dedicated troopers statewide for their service to our great state.”
 
Resolution

WHEREAS, Trooper Horlkins Saget of the Florida Highway Patrol was assigned to Troop L in Palm Beach County since February 24, 2020, and had no prior law enforcement experience and had been released to solo patrol following field training approximately forty-five days prior to this incident; and
 
WHEREAS, on September 8, 2020, Trooper Saget was notified that another trooper was in an active vehicle pursuit on I-95, just north of Atlantic Avenue. Trooper Saget was in the immediate area and joined the pursuit. The subject vehicle made an abrupt exit onto Atlantic Avenue and crashed into another vehicle. The suspect was able to drive another one-half mile before abandoning the vehicle and fleeing on foot while carrying a military style rifle and a semi-automatic handgun; and
 
WHEREAS, the suspect turned and discharged his rifle at the troopers as they continued to pursue, and the armed suspect then continued to flee on foot between houses into a neighborhood; and
 
WHEREAS, it became evident to the troopers that the suspect posed an extreme hazard to innocent citizens within the neighborhood, Trooper Saget exited his vehicle and began an immediate pursuit on foot followed by his partner trooper; and
 
WHEREAS, the suspect ran between two houses in an apparent attempt to ambush the troopers who were still in close foot pursuit. Knowing the suspect was armed and extremely dangerous to the public, the troopers cautiously and courageously turned the corner of a house where the suspect had prepared to engage troopers in combat; and 
 
WHEREAS, Trooper Saget rounded the corner, and the suspect immediately discharged his handgun at Trooper Saget. Trooper Saget instinctively and immediately returned fire, striking the suspect and effectively ending the deadly threat in close quarters combat after running hundreds of yards and having turned a blind corner prior to being engaged; and
 
WHEREAS, after Trooper Saget further secured the location ensuring no citizens would be endangered by any actions of the suspect, he immediately provided assistance to his backup trooper as she administered CPR and first aid to the suspect. After the encounter, it was determined that the suspect was wanted by authorities on multiple felony warrants and was considered armed and dangerous; and
 
WHEREAS, Trooper Saget acted courageously and selflessly maintaining his composure throughout the events which included the vehicle pursuit, foot pursuit, the officer involved shooting, and subsequent lifesaving efforts ultimately embodying the Florida Highway Patrol’s vision to provide, “A Safer Florida through Courtesy, Service, and Protection”; and
 
WHEREAS, Trooper Saget was exposed to extreme peril and his immediate actions not only neutralized the threat to himself but also to other troopers and the public at large.
 
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Governor and Cabinet of the State of Florida hereby recognize and commend 2020 TROOPER OF THE YEAR, TROOPER HORLKINS SAGET for his heroic actions in service and protection leading to the safety and welfare of the residents and visitors of Florida.
 
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF the Governor and the Cabinet of the State of Florida have hereunto subscribed their names and have caused the Official Seal of the State of Florida to be hereunto affixed in the City of Tallahassee on this 20th day of December 2021.

###

About CFO Jimmy Patronis 
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and X (@FLDFS).