MCSO Crew Leader Saves Driver's Life on US 41

Jose Torres, a work farm crew leader for the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, saved a driver's life during a medical emergency on US 41 in May and has been named MCSO's 2025 Employee of the Year.

Torres was driving home when he witnessed a vehicle crash while traveling northbound on US 41 in Hillsborough County. He pulled over and found the driver experiencing a seizure and becoming unresponsive. Torres checked for a pulse, found none, and began CPR with help from another bystander. The two continued chest compressions until Hillsborough County Fire Rescue arrived. The driver was transported to a nearby hospital and survived.

Sheriff Rick Wells presented the award to Torres alongside Stephen Hall, vice president of loss prevention for Bealls Division. Torres works as a crew leader supervising inmate work crews on county projects.