TAMPA – The Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Foundation will recognize exceptional law enforcement officers Aug. 29 during its 11th annual gala.
The event is open to the public for the first time, giving the community an opportunity to join law enforcement officials, business leaders and supporters in celebrating those who have made Tampa Bay safer.
Several officers will be honored:
- Detective Aaron Smith, of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Digital Forensics Unit, will be recognized as Deputy of the Year. His expertise in digital forensics has helped solve complex criminal investigations, identify dozens of child exploitation victims and bring offenders to justice. His work was instrumental in helping the FBI dismantle a multi-state child exploitation case involving a Tampa Bay-area doctor.
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The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Strategic Gun Intelligence Unit will be recognized for making some big busts. Photo courtesy of HCSO The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Strategic Gun Intelligence Unit won Task Force of the Year for its efforts to combat gun violence through intelligence-driven investigations and proactive enforcement. Since launching in 2025, the unit has arrested more than 100 violent offenders, seized 132 illegal firearms, recovered more than $100,000 in criminal proceeds and helped reduce gun violence across Hillsborough County.
- Officer Andrew Billups, of the Clearwater Police Department, won Officer of the Year. In separate incidents, Billups rescued a missing 8-year-old autistic girl in danger of being swept into the Gulf. Weeks later, he talked a woman in crisis to safety from the Memorial Causeway Bridge.
- Aby George, of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, earned Agent of the Year honors. George led an investigation that dismantled a major international child pornography ring operating across multiple countries. His work resulted in numerous arrests, the seizure of a website distributing child sexual abuse material including more than one million explicit videos and the identification of about 50 child victims.
- Master Patrol Officer Chrisie Lopez, of the St. Petersburg Police Department, will be highlighted as Unsung Hero. From helping a suicidal teenager to de-escalating an armed man experiencing a mental health crisis, her ability to calmly defuse dangerous situations has saved lives while connecting people in crisis to the help they need.
The gala, which includes a cocktail reception and dinner, takes place Aug. 29 at Opal Sol Resort, 400 Coronado Drive, Clearwater. Visit ChiefsFoundation.org/AnnualGala to buy tickets or donate to the gala auction.
The gala supports the foundation’s mission of strengthening partnerships between law enforcement and the community. Since 2020, the foundation has invested more than $750,000 in officers’ advanced training as well as educational and police academy scholarships.