What is stolen valor? – “Stolen Valor” is a term applied to the phenomenon of people falsely claiming awards or badges they did not earn, service they did not perform.
The Lehigh Acres Gazette can only find the following awards linked to Interim Lee County Sheriff Marceno:
Lifesaving Award with Collier County Sheriff’s Office, 2012; Bob Burhan’s Good Samaritan Award, 2009 and Marceno received the Exceptional Service Medal for the completion of the FBI academy from Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Click here to see the Medals and Descriptions of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
But the day Marceno becomes Interm Sheriff of Lee County also wears the following on his uniform, but there is NO proof of ever receiving these awards.
Life-Saving 3 times: Awarded for: An act performed in the line-of-duty, which through disregard of personal safety or prompt and alert action, results in saving a life. (Worn on the right breast, white section of bar toward center of shirt.)
Sheriff/Chief’s achievement 2 times: Awarded for: An act or achievement by Chief or Sheriff bringing acclaim to the Office and/or the Law Enforcement profession. Worn on the right breast.
Editorial note: the last three sheriffs in Lee County do not receive the Sheriff/Chief’s achievement award but Interm Lee County Sheriff Marceno has received it twice?
The Unit Citation: Awarded for: A team effort under combat conditions including all participating staff members, who, in support of Office operations, distinguished themselves to effectuate the protection of life and property. (Worn on the right breast.)
Pistol Expert: Awarded for: An act or achievement by Chief or Sheriff bringing acclaim to the Office and/or the Law Enforcement profession. Worn on the right breast.
Honorable Service 2 times: Awarded for: A creditable act in the line-of-duty, which meets some, but not all of the requirements for other medals, and is unusual in nature, showing initiative and accomplishment. Worn on the right breast.
Ask yourself the following questions:
Has Marceno stolen valor? Where is the proof, the paperwork, and the date given to these awards from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office?