PUBLIC SERVICE: Satellite Beach Police Department Honors Detective Corporal Aimee Ybarra as Officer of the Year

Satellite Beach Police Department recently HELD its annual officer award ceremony

The Satellite Beach Police Department held its annual officer award ceremony during a City Council meeting earlier this month. Above, from top left, and counter-clockwise are Officer of the Year, Detective Corporal Aimee Ybarra; School Resource Officer of the Year, Corporal Gretta Valiente-Smith; Hartmann-Flagg DUI Enforcement Officer of the Year, Corporal Christopher White; Telecommunications Officer of the Year, Larry Melkonian; and Civilian of the Year, Victim Advocate Tiffany Petro. (SBPD images)

BREVARD COUNTY • SATELLITE BEACH, FLORIDA — The Satellite Beach Police Department held its annual officer award ceremony during a City Council meeting earlier this month.

“The department had the chance to recognize a group of truly outstanding individuals,” said a department spokesperson. “These are the kind of people who not only go above and beyond in their roles but also lift their coworkers and help make our city a better, safer place every single day.”

■ Officer of the Year: Detective Corporal Aimee Ybarra
Aimee’s hard work and leadership continue to shine. From winning this award in 2022 to leading a major child predator investigation this year, her impact on community safety is immeasurable.

■ School Resource Officer of the Year: Corporal Gretta Valiente-Smith
Gretta has been a steady presence at Delaura for over two decades, forming strong bonds with students, staff, and parents. She has helped shape a safe and supportive school environment for an entire generation and is an outstanding law enforcement officer.

■ Hartmann-Flagg DUI Enforcement Officer of the Year: Corporal Christopher White
Four years in a row, Cpl. White continues to show incredible dedication in keeping our roads safe, consistently going above and beyond to remove impaired drivers from our streets.

■ Telecommunications Officer of the Year: Larry Melkonian
With nearly 30 years of service (and over 40 years in total at the department), Larry has been a constant presence through decades of change. Most recently, he stepped up to supervise during a colleague’s maternity leave — a true example of reliability and leadership.

■ Civilian of the Year: Victim Advocate Tiffany Petro
Tiffany has transformed the way our community supports victims. From helping them navigate the legal system to creating vital resources like the Special Needs Registry, her work brings hope and healing when it’s needed most.

The Satellite Beach Police Department includes 25 sworn officers and 10 civilian support staff. The Uniformed Patrol Division, with 15 officers, handles calls for service, traffic enforcement, accident investigations, and security for special events, all while promoting community policing principles.

The department offers several volunteer programs, including Citizens on Patrol, Marine Patrol, ATV Beach Patrol, and Bike Patrol. These initiatives allow residents to actively participate in enhancing public safety .

In 2025, the department introduced a Special Needs Registry to assist officers in responding effectively to individuals with conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Alzheimer’s, or Down Syndrome.

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