The North Miami Police Department’s “Officer of the Month” for October is Officer Duhamel Jeanite, who is currently assigned to the Uniform Patrol Section, midnight shift. Sergeant Rene Suarez nominated him after recognizing his alertness, perseverance and initiative in the following case:

On August 30, 2009, officers responded to 1560 NE 127 St. regarding a carjacking, robbery and battery. The victim was attempting to park when he noticed a black male and female standing in his assigned parking space. He politely asked them to move in order to park the vehicle. Both subjects refused and the victim exited the vehicle in an attempt to convince them to move. The subjects began to argue with the victim. Without warning, the subjects attacked the victim causing multiple lacerations to his face and body. He was able to escape the horrific situation and ran to his apartment to alert his roommate of the incident. The roommate responded to the parking lot and was confronted by the subjects. The male subject implied he had a gun and walked towards the victim’s roommate as he was shouting and threatening that he was going to kill him. The roommate, in fear for his safety, ran back into the apartment. Both subjects entered the victim’s vehicle and fled.

Officer Jeanite canvassed the area for additional witnesses and evidence. He was approached by a resident from across the street who turned out to be an eye witness. She identified the subjects as her sister and her sister’s boyfriend and gave him their address. Officer Jeanite checked the address several times and eventually located the victim’s vehicle in the rear parking lot. He knocked on the door to the apartment and a male subject fitting the description answered the door. The subject ran back inside but was pursued by Officer Jeanite and back-up officers. Both subjects were subsequently taken into custody and the victim’s car key was found in the male subject’s pocket. Both subjects were positively identified by the victim.

Officer Jeanite was selected as Officer of the Month for October 2009 and will be honored at the Greater North Miami Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at Noon.

• "OFFICER OF THE MONTH" - JUNE 2009 - ALANZO RHYMER

• "OFFICERS OF THE MONTH" - JULY 2009 - JEANITE AND BRYANT

• "OFFICER OF THE MONTH" - AUGUST 2009 - JAMES MESIDOR

• "OFFICER OF THE MONTH" - SEPTEMBER 2009 - JODLYN ANTOINE

• "OFFICERS OF THE MONTH" - NOVEMBER 2009 - OFFICER DONALD BLANCHARD AND DETECTIVE MICHAEL GAUDIO

• "OFFICERS OF THE MONTH" - JANUARY 2010 - OFFICERS JAMES STUART AND WILLE WALDEN

• "OFFICER OF THE MONTH" - FEBRUARY 2010 - STEVEN UNMUTH

• "OFFICER OF THE MONTH" - MARCH 2010 - RANSOM CARTER

• "OFFICER OF THE MONTH" - APRIL 2010 - "GUIDO" ANDOLLO AND JEAN SOSA

• "OFFICER OF THE MONTH" - MAY 2010 - NELSON PEREZ

• "OFFICERS OF THE MONTH" - JUNE 2010 -JUAN MAYATO AND DAVID ROSEN

• "OFFICER OF THE MONTH" - JULY 2010 - DETECTIVE FELIX GUADARRAMA