PANAMA CITY — For Norm Gulkis, his enduring image of Frank McKeithen is that of the Bay County sheriff crawling alongside a wrecked Toyota pickup to engage a suspect with a handgun pressed against his chin, threatening to commit suicide.
McKeithen remembers that event about three years ago, although it is blurred with similar situations. Sheriff’s officers were in pursuit of the man when he lost control and his truck ended up in a ditch. Assessing the situation, he was convinced the man was committed to shooting himself and even thought about trying to reach for the gun but worried he would not be fast enough. McKeithen does not remember what he told the young man — he said those situations are fluid in their chaos, that improvisation is necessary — but he somehow convinced the subject not to kill himself.
“That’s the definition of serving above yourself,” Gulkis said, a phrase repeated often in his introductory remarks before he presented the sheriff with a Paul Harris Fellowship award, which is named for the Rotary Club’s founder.
Humbled by the award, McKeithen responded he felt his actions to stop that person from committing suicide were both to protect his fellow officers and part of his job duties to protect people from themselves and others.
“That’s what I signed on for,” McKeithen said.
McKeithen and Debra Peel both received Paul Harris Fellowships, including plaques and medallions, awarded by the Northside Rotary International members, who contributed $1,000 to the Rotary foundation and then nominated McKeithen and Peel. Usually, Paul Harris Fellowship recipients are Rotary members who submit $1,000 contributions to the Rotary foundation. Gulkis said itis rare for non-Rotary members to receive a fellowship. Gulkis nominated McKeithen and John Newman nominated Peel.
Although Gulkis also mentioned McKeithen’s work trying to clean up Panama City Beach from bath salts and South Florida pill mills, McKeithen’s and Peel’s work with CrimeStoppers was a significant consideration for community service with Gulkis as CrimeStoppers president. Both McKeithen and Peel appear together on billboards around Bay County. While McKeithen is an active participant with CrimeStoppers with both funding and support, Peel works as the organization’s media liaison, one of three jobs that includes private investigator and staff investigator for the Florida Bar. Back in 2004, Peel was profiled in “O Magazine,” owned by Oprah Winfrey, as one of the busiest women in the country who finds time to serve her community.
CrimeStoppers is an anonymous call center for crime tips. Gulkis said CrimeStoppers gets about 100 calls a month locally.
“We have solved numerous murder cases, cases all over the state,” Peel said. “I hope something I’ve done has touched someone, has kept a family or grandchildren safe.”
Peel was especially honored to receive the fellowship alongside McKeithen.
“He’s my hero. I’ve been in law enforcement since 1984, and I’ve worked with many sheriffs,” Peel said. “I’ve never met a man of more integrity than Sheriff McKeithen. He is truly a man of stature and honor.”
McKeithen said he was impressed with Peel.
“She has so many jobs and she gets all of them done,” McKeithen said. “I don’t know how she does it. I don’t know when she rests.”
Adding to the good vibes were that McKeithen and Peel were both completely surprised.
“There are very few times in my life when I am surprised,” McKeithen said. “This was a good surprise.”