November 5th, 2016 – Deputy Sheriff Carla Washington is currently employed as a Corrections Deputy with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and has been for the past five years. Prior to her employment with PBSO, Deputy Washington worked as a Correctional Officer in Martin County for fourteen years. Carla is a single mother of two; her son is a Law Enforcement Deputy in Martin County and her daughter is currently in High School in Port St. Lucie. Carla was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer in 2016. The news was devastating to her and her family. Carla travels to and from Orlando for medical treatment and is currently undergoing aggressive chemotherapy. The disease, medication, travel and health complications have challenged Carla and her family emotionally and financially.
On October 10th, 2015, while off duty, Agent James Jordan suffered a severe neck injury. James sought medical treatment and on November 3rd, 2015, he had a plate surgically placed in his neck to relieve the pain. On December 3rd, 2015, James was admitted into St. Mary’s Hospital due to an infection which destroyed three of his vertebrates. He underwent a second surgery to rebuild his spinal column and was in ICU. While in ICU James’s heart stopped three times and Doctors discovered the infection had spread to his heart. He was placed on life sustaining equipment and was in a coma for almost 30 days. Upon coming out of the coma, James was moved to an acute rehabilitation hospital where it was determined he had a brain injury. At this time James was moved to a brain injury rehabilitation center in Broward and eventually to another facility in Orlando. James currently lives with his parents as he cannot independently care for himself and needs 24 hour care. Due to his injuries, James is unable to return to work and had to medically retire after 12 years of service.