Sgt. Gary Morales : Reputable Sergeant killed in the line of duty

FORT PIERCE, Fla. - Whether he was on patrol or in the office, Sgt. Gary Morales was known for his professionalism and dedication to the job.

An almost 13 year veteran of the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office participated in a 2008 video where he explained a night on the job.

"We'll go out and check warrants at three or four in the morning. We don't stop. We start at 11 p.m. and end at 7 a.m. it's nonstop taking people to jail," says Sgt. Morales.

That kind of work got Morales a long list of accolades for his accomplishments. Several awards for exceptional duty, unit honors and safe driver commendations.

His reputation of good teamwork and investigative skill made Sgt. Morales a deputy others wanted to work with. He went from patrol, to working with the S.W.A.T. team and school resource, to special investigations.

Sgt. Morales served in the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1999, one year before he joined the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office.