Palm Beach Honors Top Public Safety Communicator

Michael Harrison named Communications Officer of the Year for his lifesaving work.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 8:58pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a vintage telephone handset against a pitch-black background, the harsh lighting and high contrast creating a gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the urgent nature of emergency communications.A public safety communicator's lifeline, the telephone handset is the critical link between the public and emergency responders.Palm Beach Today

In recognition of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office has named Michael Harrison as the Communications Officer of the Year for his exceptional work handling emergency calls and dispatching first responders.

Why it matters

Public safety communicators play a vital role in emergency response, providing a crucial link between the public and law enforcement, fire, and medical services. Honoring top performers like Michael Harrison helps highlight the importance of this often-overlooked profession.

The details

As a communications officer for the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, Michael Harrison has demonstrated exceptional skills in quickly assessing emergency situations, calmly guiding callers through crises, and efficiently dispatching the appropriate first responders. His quick thinking and compassionate demeanor have helped save numerous lives.

  • National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is observed annually in April.

The players

Michael Harrison

A communications officer with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office who was named Communications Officer of the Year for his lifesaving work.

Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that oversees public safety communications for Palm Beach County, Florida.

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What they’re saying

“Michael's quick thinking and compassionate demeanor have helped save countless lives in our community.”

— Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, Palm Beach County Sheriff

The takeaway

This award highlights the vital role that public safety communicators play in emergency response and the importance of recognizing their contributions to community safety.