Orange County Corrections Officer Honored as Florida Missing Children’s Day Citizen of the Year

Orange County Corrections Officer Honored as Florida Missing Children's Day Citizen of the Year

In a true act of courage and outstanding citizenship, Orange County Corrections Officer Timothy Williams prevented the kidnapping of a young girl in Polk County. And for his valiant efforts, he was honored as the 2023-2024 Florida Missing Children's Day Citizen of the Year Award by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

On August 18, 2023, a man attempted to kidnap an 11-year-old girl while she was standing at her school bus stop. She fought bravely to stave off the man's attempts to take her, and Williams, who was at the bus stop as a parent, helped intervene to stop him from carrying out his plan.

The man attempted to flee the scene, but Williams was able to follow and hold him in the area until members of the Polk County Sheriff's Office arrived. He attempted to flee the scene again, but during a brief foot chase, a deputy was able to detain and place him under arrest.

During the subsequent investigation, detectives were able to obtain an admission from the man that he attempted to take the girl to his home, and he also admitted to touching her in a lewd and lascivious manner. As a result, he was charged with attempted kidnapping, lewd molestation (life felony) and resisting arrest without violence.

"Had Officer Williams not bravely and swiftly intervened, an 11-year-old girl would've become a victim of a crime," said Louis A. Quinones, Jr., Chief of Orange County Corrections." We're extremely proud of the manner in which he responded."

The FMCD Citizen of the Year Award recognizes exceptional, extraordinary, outstanding or heroic efforts that result in the prevention of a child abduction or the recovery of a child from a situation of imminent danger.

In addition to receiving this honor, Williams, who has been with Orange County Corrections since 2007, was recognized at the meeting of the Orange County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, September 10.