Release posted on 03/21/2025 at 4:02 PM

The St. Petersburg Police Department congratulates Master Officer Quentin Brent and Lieutenant Thomas J. Qualey for being honored with the 2024 Ned March/Bud Purdy Award, a prestigious award presented today by the Rotary Club of St. Petersburg to recognize their outstanding careers within the Department.

Master Officer Quentin Brent, a St. Pete native with 37 years at the St. Petersburg Police Department, is the department's most senior active officer, having spent his entire career in patrol. In 2016, he was recognized as a "super recognizer" for his exceptional facial recognition skills. Known for his strong rapport with the community, Officer Brent has built trust with local families, aiding investigations. On October 6, 2023, he helped de-escalate a standoff with a man threatening to jump from a radio tower. After recognizing the man, Officer Brent engaged in conversation, and the man later requested him to place the handcuffs on him. Officer Brent kept his promise, taking the man out for lunch before transporting him to jail.

Lieutenant Thomas J. Qualey has proudly served with the St. Petersburg Police Department since 2007. Lt. Qualey's dedication to Community-Oriented Policing is rooted in building trust and maintaining open, ongoing communication with the community. He identifies and addresses critical quality-of-life issues by actively collaborating with residents and local businesses. Lt. Qualey and his team have successfully identified and eliminated numerous residential and commercial properties operating as safe havens for narcotics and violent criminal activity, significantly improving neighborhood safety.

The St. Petersburg Police Department thanks the Rotary Club of St. Petersburg for its continued support and sponsorship of this annual award.