Sgt. Dante Tanfulla, Ted Fixman, and Police Chief Albert A. “Butch” Arenal. {Coconut Creek Police Department.}
By Kevin Deutsch
A Coconut Creek man received a special commendation from police last week for helping take an unruly drunk driver into custody after she caused a traffic crash, authorities said.
Ted Fixman jumped into action on January 22 when he spotted Coconut Creek Police Sgt. Dante Tanfulla struggling with the intoxicated woman in the roadway while cars whizzed by, police said.
At the March 10 Coconut Creek City Commission meeting, Police Chief Albert A. “Butch” Arenal presented Fixman with the special department commendation on behalf of police and the city and a letter expressing their gratitude.
“You did something very important here,” Arenal told Fixman during the presentation. “You got involved. And not everybody does.”
Arenal, who did not specify the location of the crash or identify the driver, said Tanfulla witnessed the traffic crash and “immediately recognized the at-fault driver to potentially be impaired.”
“As he began to interact with her, she became irate, belligerent, combative, and ultimately refused to comply with his directions,” the chief said. “As she attempted to get back in her vehicle, Sgt. Tanfulla gave several orders and tried to detain her for everyone’s safety. The incident unfolded so quickly Sgt. Tanfulla was forced to take immediate action as the subject attempted to run away.”
While Tanfulla tried to subdue the combative woman, passing motorists “continued to drive by without stopping, placing not only the subject in harm’s way,” but also Tanfulla, the chief said.
“After witnessing the traffic crash, you saw the struggle and ran toward Sgt. Tanfulla and the combative driver who were now in the middle of the roadway and asked if you could assist,” Arenal told Fixman.
“Once given permission to assist, you jumped into action and did not hesitate to help Sgt. Tanfulla take the subject into handcuffs. Within minutes of your assistance, responding officers arrived on scene and the subject was detained without further incident.”
Arenal said Fixman’s teaming up with police during the incident “represents the very foundation of community policing.”
“Without your assistance, this incident could have ended with a catastrophic injury or loss of life,” the chief said. “You made a split-second decision and placed yourself in danger in order to assist a law enforcement officer in need. And these days, that’s a great thing.”
“We thank you for getting involved and helping our police department and community, and wish there were…many more Mr. Fixmans out there.”
Fixman said he was appreciative of the honor.
“I would just like to say thank you to all the first responders for the state of Florida and throughout our country,” said the honoree. “I appreciate you guys.”
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