Clearwater police officer Andrew Billups was named Officer of the Year at the 11th annual Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Foundation gala. Billups rescued a nonverbal 8-year-old girl with autism who was stranded on jagged rocks at Clearwater Beach.
WHO:Officer Andrew Billups (Clearwater Police); Clearwater Beach child and family (unnamed); Kathy Petrucelli (named in report)
WHAT:Billups received Officer of the Year after rescuing a nonverbal 8-year-old girl with autism stranded on jagged rocks at Clearwater Beach.
WHEN:Reported Aug 30, 2026 at 5:52 AM ET
WHERE:Clearwater Beach, Clearwater, Florida
WHY:He was honored for coming to the rescue of the stranded child at Clearwater Beach.
Reporting from 1 identified publisher for this event.
