Orlando resident named 'Citizen of the Year’ by FDLE on Florida Missing Children’s Day
An Orlando man was named the Citizen of the Year by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement during Florida Missing Children’s Day Monday for helping detain a man suspected of molesting a child inside an Orlando Walmart in January 2019.
Rosler Pierre, 32, tackled David Kelly as Kelly ran from security through the parking lot at 8101 S. John Young Parkway after groping an 8-year-old girl inside the store’s toy department on Jan. 8, an affidavit showed.
“Rosler Pierre, who was walking through the parking lot at the time, noticed what was happening and gave chase," FDLE Special Agent in Charge Mike Phillips said during the virtual ceremony Monday. "He caught up to the suspect, tackled him to the ground and held him until Orange County deputies arrived.”
Kelly, 43, was later found guilty of lewd or lascivious molestation. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for October.
“Thanks to the actions of Rosler Pierre, a serious offender was apprehended and taken off the streets,” Phillips said.
Pierre told the Orlando Sentinel the award was unexpected, but he was grateful for the acknowledgement. He said he was recognized previously by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for helping stop Kelly.
“I don’t feel like a hero. I just felt like this is the right thing to do,” Pierre said.
Monday’s ceremony marks the 22nd annual commemoration of Florida Missing Children’s Day, which aims to raise awareness of missing children’s cases statewide, educate Floridians on child abduction prevention and recognize law enforcement officers and citizens who help prevent child abduction and locate missing children.
krice@orlandosentinel.com
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