Crime & Safety

Decades of Service: Local Reserve Deputies Put Public Safety First

Reserve deputies assist events alongside sheriff's deputies

LUTZ - Lt. Ed Kurtzeborn stood on the corner of 4th Street South West and E. Lutz Lake Fern on Monday morning as the sun blazed above his forest green hat. A few minutes later, he bent over to chat with a tiny member of the community.

"You having trouble walking?" he said jokingly to the toddler, who was at the Lutz 4th of July parade with a relative. "You haven't been drinking again, have you?"

Kurtzeborn's sense of humor and approachable demeanor have aided him during his 40 years as a reserve deputy with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Kurtzeborn, of Hudson, is one of 90 reserve II deputies who help the sheriff's office with special events such as the Gasparilla parade in Tampa, and work under the authority of a full-time sheriff's deputy.

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Locally, Lt. Bill Owens of Carrollwood is completing his 34th year of service with the sheriff's office.

The two reserves have had varied experiences over the years, from riding in the funeral procession for the son of Former Tampa Bay Bucs coach Tony Dungy to following suspects via helicopter. They've worked for multiple sheriffs, and rose the ranks to become reserve lieutenants.

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"It's a great motivator," said Sue Balter, reserve II captain, of the two men's service. "Especially for these younger people coming up."

***

Kurtzeborn, 66, grew up in Tampa and started working as a reserve deputy decades ago. Back then, he says, recruits weren't even issued equipment - not even guns. In the fall, though, reserves will start receiving .40 caliber Glocks for the first time.

"You didn't get anything," he said of his beginnings with the county. "The new reserves and recruits are issued everything."

Since then, Kurtzeborn worked his way up to corporal, then sergeant, then lieutenant.

He worked on boat security details at the Port of Tampa. Rode a motorcycle during patrols of the Gasparilla parade and Dungy's son's funeral. Helped with traffic at the Ironman triathlon in St. Petersburg.

When asked why he spent years in an unpaid volunteer position, Kurtzeborn's answer was simple.

"It's not for the gratitude," said Kurtzeborn, who cares for his horses in his free time. "You're doing something for the community, and you're doing something (that) someone else can't do."

Said Kurtzeborn of his future as a reserve: "I may see if I can hang on another 10 years."

***

Owens, 79, was born in Tampa Heights. He was raised by his mother and grandmother, and rode his bike, as he says, "all over that part of town."

"Back then, you could go anywhere and do anything," said. "Nobody locked their doors."

He spent one semester in college before realizing he would rather do something with his hands. So he spent 33 years at the City of Tampa's water department. In his free time, he worked hot rods that included a 1932 Ford Sedan.

He joined the reserves because he wanted to give something back to a community that was good to him as a child.

He worked surveillance with the department's narcotics division, and conducted boat courtesy checks on holidays like Memorial Day.

A few times, Owens witnessed brushes with danger.

Years ago, in the middle of the night, a couple of teenagers stole a truck in Temple Terrace and led deputies on a 45-minute chase that ended in Brooksville. During the pursuit, Owens rode in a helicopter with a pilot who also served as a deputy.

Three law enforcement agencies - Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando - were involved. No one was hurt, and the truck's owner wrote the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office to thank them for finding his truck.

"It was so interesting," Owens recalled. "You're thinking, 'What are they gonna do next?'"

Owens, who is married with three grandchildren and two stepsons, spends his free time reading mysteries. Owens, physically fit with an easy smile, doesn't worry about his age effecting his ability to work as a reserve deputy because of modern technology like radios and helicopters.

After 34 years, he wants to see the reserve program grow. Owens hopes his legacy focuses on his attempts to improve the place where he grew up.

"We tried to leave the city and county in better shape than we started."

Reserve deputies work 20 hours per month, and 40 hours on average. General meetings are held once a month. For more information about the reserve program, go here.


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