SB 4 — Relief of Patricia Ermini by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office

Florida Senate - 2025 (NP) CS for SB 4 By Senator Rodriguez 40-00012-25 20254__ A bill to be entitled An act for the reliefCommittee ofon PatriciaJudiciary; Ermini by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office;

and Senator Rodriguez 590-02865-25 20254c1 A bill to be entitled An act for the relief of Patricia Ermini by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office;

Florida Senate - 2025 (NP) CS for SB 4 40-00012-25590-02865-25 20254__20254c1 Ms.

Florida Senate - 2025 (NP) CS for SB 4 40-00012-25590-02865-25 20254__20254c1 exterior check, went to the front door, where he secured a screen door in the open position, knocked on the door, and announced, “Sheriff’s Office,” to no response, and WHEREAS, Deputy Lisenbee determined that the front door was unlocked, opened the door, and again said, “Sheriff’s Office,” followed by “Anyone here? Anyone home?” to no response, and WHEREAS, Deputy Palmese was second to arrive, followed by Deputy Hamer, who, like the other deputies, parked out of view from inside the residence, and WHEREAS, Deputy Hamer retrieved from the trunk of his vehicle his AR-15 rifle, which was equipped with a flashlight and a sighting device that allowed him to find his target more quickly and easily, and WHEREAS, Deputy Hamer determined that the three deputies, all of whom were wearing dark green uniforms, should go into the residence to clear the house, and WHEREAS, Deputy Hamer activated the flashlight on his rifle, and Deputy Lisenbee announced “Sheriff’s Office” once or twice more before they entered the home, after which they proceeded to move about the dark residence in silence as they cleared the living room, finally arriving at the primary bedroom, which had double doors, both of which were closed, and WHEREAS, without knocking or further announcing their presence, Deputy Lisenbee opened the right-hand bedroom door and shined his flashlight on a female, who appeared to be asleep on the bed wearing only undergarments, and WHEREAS, after Deputy Lisenbee entered the bedroom doorway, he announced, “Sheriff’s Office.

Florida Senate - 2025 (NP) CS for SB 4 40-00012-25590-02865-25 20254__20254c1 WHEREAS, Deputy Lisenbee said, “Sheriff’s Office.

Florida Senate - 2025 (NP) CS for SB 4 40-00012-25590-02865-25 20254__20254c1 third bullet caused a graze wound across the back of her head, and WHEREAS, a wood splinter from the door lodged in her right eye, temporarily blinding her in that eye, and WHEREAS, it was less than 2 minutes from the time of entry until Ms.

Florida Senate - 2025 (NP) CS for SB 4 40-00012-25590-02865-25 20254__20254c1 WHEREAS, in addition to the gunshot wounds, Ms.

Florida Senate - 2025 (NP) CS for SB 4 40-00012-25590-02865-25 20254__20254c1 any animus toward law enforcement officers, and it is still disputed that Ms.

Florida Senate - 2025 (NP) CS for SB 4 40-00012-25590-02865-25 20254__20254c1 statutory limit of $200,000 in damages under section 768.28, Florida Statutes, and WHEREAS, this claim bill is for recovery of the excess judgment in the amount of $550,000, plus interest and taxable trial costs and appellate costs awarded to Ms.

The FloridaLee SheriffsCounty RiskSheriff’s ManagementOffice Fund is authorized and directed to appropriate from funds not otherwise encumbered and to draw a warrant in the sum of $626,769.93 payable to Patricia Ermini as compensation for injuries and damages sustained.

The amount paid by the Florida Sheriffs Risk Management Fund, on behalf of its insured, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, pursuant to s.