VIDEO RELEASE: Senator Moody Honors Heroic Florida Law Enforcement Officer Who Was Shot Twice in the Face and is Working Towards Full Recovery

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Senator Ashley Moody honored a Florida law enforcement hero who is working towards full recovery after being shot in the face twice while protecting Floridians. From the Senator Floor Senator Moody recognized Port St. Lucie Police Sergeant Erik Levasseur with the Florida's Finest Award. Sgt. Levasseur is a 27-year veteran of law enforcement.

"Sergeant Levasseur answered a routine call and got shot twice in the face. He received a law enforcement Purple Heart award and is working towards full recovery and returning to the force to serve the community he loves. Sergeant Levasseur is a true Florida hero and we are a safer state because of his courage and those brave enough to answer the call to put others' safety ahead of their own," said Senator Ashley Moody.

BACKGROUND:

• In December 2025, Port St. Lucie Police Sgt. Levasseur was shot twice in the face when responding to a residence call. When Sgt. Levasseur and other officers responded to the scene, a suspect emerged from the home's garage brandishing a rifle and immediately began firing at officers. The suspect also attempted to run at and flank Sgt. Levasseur and the officers. Sgt. Levasseur was struck twice in the face-one bullet near the nose and another beneath. Other officers subdued the suspect. Learn more here.
• Sgt. Levasseur underwent five surgeries-two on the eyes to remove shrapnel and another three on the face. From the beginning of the sergeant's recovery, Sgt. Levasseur has been looking forward to returning to work.
• In March, Sgt. Levasseur received a law enforcement Purple Heart from the Port St. Lucie Police Department for his service.
• A local veteran, Staff Sergeant Thomas Matteo, presented Sgt. Levasseur with one of his own military Purple Hearts for the sergeant's service. Matteo earned six Purple Hearts over two deployments to Vietnam in the 1960s, and is also a former law enforcement officer. Learn more here.
• Sgt. Levasseur also received the First Responders Appreciation Foundation's Valor Award at the group's annual Law Enforcement Officers Awards luncheon last month.
• Senator Moody honored Sgt. Levasseur with a Florida's Finest Award. Senator Moody's Florida's Finest Awards are presented to citizens or law enforcement officers who go above and beyond to protect others.

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