By Jay Meisel
meisel@hometownnewsol.com
ST. LUCIE COUNTY - Two St. Lucie County deputies promoted last week to sergeant have some connection to the military.
While Jeff Buchanan was born on a military base, Fort Polk in Vernon Parish, La., John Parow served as a military police officer for the U.S. Air Force.
St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara called the men "the best of the best" and presented them with their new badges on July 19.
Sgt. Buchanan, whose daughter, Kate, pinned the badge on him, said he's excited about the promotion after working at the sheriff's office since 1985.
His work included serving as a patrol deputy, a detention deputy and as an investigator who handled a variety of cases, including Internet crimes against children and economic crimes.
One of the biggest assignments was handling hundreds of complaints of contractor fraud following the hurricanes in 2004.
He said he wrapped up the final case about two years ago.
Growing up, he had no plans to become a law enforcement officer, he said. Sgt. Buchanan said he saw a newspaper ad and replied.
Sgt. Parow, originally from Potsdam, N.Y., has been with St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office since 1999.
Before that, he was a military police officer. He said he liked having the opportunity to travel to places such as South Korea.
At the sheriff's office, he's been a patrol deputy and a detective, investigating Internet crimes against children and cold cases involving homicides.
He's also received training from the FBI in computer forensics.
One thing he likes the most about working at the Sheriff's Office is "the family atmosphere" he said.