"A Tribute to America's Heroes" - PCSO Deputies Weppelman and Bissett

On July 3rd, 2011, Faith Baptist Church presented a special patriotic program entitled "A Tribute to America's Heroes."  Throughout that program several 'heroes' were recognized.  Two of those heroes are Polk County Sheriff's Deputies Michael Weppelman and Mike Bissett.

Deputy Michael Weppelman has been a deputy in the Polk County Sheriff's Office for over 22 years.  He is married to Mary, who is a retired EMS and currently the director of Angel's Care Center of Eloise.  He has 2 children.

Deputy Mike Bissett has been a Law Enforcement Officer for almost 21 years.  He also served our country as an Officer in the Army Air Defense Artillery for 4 years.  He and his wife Renee have been married for 20 years.  He has 3 children.

Deputy Weppelman & Deputy Bissett

Working as deputies in the Sheriff's Department is an honorable profession and it is a high privilege to wear the green uniform and serve the people of Polk County.  It can at times be a very dangerous job.  Deputy Weppelman and Deputy Bissett's lives intersected last year when they were called out to what appeared to be a routine domestic dispute.  There is nothing routine about being a deputy sheriff.  On this particular day, the bad guy pulled a gun and fired at these officers.  Because we have a gracious God and good training in the Sheriff's department, Deputies Weppelman and Bissett handled this situation in the most professional way.  They were instrumental in keeping the community safe and protecting the citizens of our county.

Sheriff Grady Judd & Deputy Weppelman

Deputy Weppelman said,

"I enjoy serving the good people of our community.  I will do whatever service the people need - from retreiving an alligator  from a swimming pool, getting a snake out of a house, talking to a lonely soul on a dark street, to replacing a widow's mailbox, to putting away the bad guys."

When Deputy Weppelman joined the Sheriff's Office, he thought it was going to simply be a stepping stone to something else.  It turned out that the Sheriff's Department became a family he just couldn't leave.

Deputy Bissett said,

"I think it's nice that the people of Polk County know that their police officers really care."

Deputy Bissett and family

Deputy Bissett wanted to be a police officer ever since he watched the old Adam 12 TV programs as a boy.  His favorite thing about serving as a deputy is that every day is different.  You never know what to expect when you go to work.  His wife Renee, who teaches in the Special Education Low Functioning Autistic Unit at Garner Elementary said,

"I pray for and completely support my husband.  His being a deputy is part of our lives."

His daughter Hannah thinks that it is fine her dad is a deputy.  She wants to go into the Criminal Justice field and someday be Sheriff Judd's lawyer.  Josh said he also wants to be a police officer and serve on the SWAT team.  Sarah said she used to be scared a little about dad being a deputy but now she thinks it's cool.  Her first question to dad when he gets home is "Did you catch any bad guys today?"

Mike Bissett says that his job is enjoyable because the people of Polk County are very appreciative to the Sheriff's Department.

This year Deputy Mike Bissett and Deputy Mike Weppelman were awarded the Medal of Valor for their effective action in the face of life-threatening circumstances.

Faith Baptist Church is proud to present to Deputy Mike Bissett and Deputy Michael Weppelman and to their families the Medal of Freedom and Citizenship for their heroic service to our community in the Polk County Sheriff's Department.

Others Recognized During "A Tribute to America's Heroes"

• US Army Staff Sergeant Dustin Pantalone
• Firefighter Jim Davis
• Polk County Sheriff's Deputies Michael Weppelman & Mike Bissett
• Mom and Dad ~ Rod & Judy Nyeholt