Deputy Ed Stagmller has flown many missions with the Martin County Sheriff's office - whether it's looking for criminals, or missing persons.
However, one case sticks out among all the rest…
“I was everyday going out hopeful that we would find her, waving to us…”
The massive search for Tricia Todd - spanned several weeks - stretched 200 miles, and involved hundreds of volunteers and members of law enforcement.
Deputy Stagmiller racked up the hours on the case - which went from an urgent missing persons search to a homicide investigation.
“There were days when we flew 8 hours,” he says. “We were non stop.”
The Martin County Sheriff's office recognized the massive efforts by him and so many others.
On Thursday, Sheriff William Snyder honored the brave men and women who poured their heart and soul into this case.
“Our goal was to solve the crime, find out what happened to Tricia,” says Sheriff William Snyder. “But on a higher level, our goal was to seek justice.”
The sheriff handed out commendation coins to everyone involved in the search.
“This was an incredible effort amongst the entire agency,” deputy Stagmiller says. “And for him to reach out and thank everybody - it definitely feels good.”
Though he wishes the outcome was different, deputy Stagmiller says he wouldn't hesitate to answer the call to duty again.
“It was absolutely worth it, and we'd do it all again just to help the agency and family in trying to find Tricia Todd.”
Steven Williams, the confessed killer of Tricia Todd, has his next court date set for September 30th.
EARLIER STORY:
More than 100 people are being recognized Thursday for their help in the search for a Hobe Sound woman earlier this year.
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The Martin County Sheriff’s Office is handing out commendation coins to employees within the agency, the state attorney’s office and the media.
.@MartinFLSheriff William Snyder honoring members of the Sheriff's office for their work on #TriciaTodd case @WPTV pic.twitter.com/ga594dRmJX
— Jason Hackett (@JHackettWPTV) August 11, 2016
Tricia Todd went missing in April. Deputies later found her remains after her ex-husband entered a plea with the state.
Steven Williams admitted to killing and disposing of Todd’s body near a nature preserve in Martin County.
For weeks, volunteers and members of law enforcement searched for Todd’s remains.
Sheriff William Snyder said that without their efforts they would have never been able to track and collect crucial evidenced that helped track Todd’s killer.
The ceremony is at 11:30 a.m.
