Zephyrhills Police Department

06/02/2026

🚔🏆 ZPD Awards & Recognition Ceremony

Last week, the Zephyrhills Police Department gathered at Zephyrhills City Hall to recognize employees, volunteers, and specialty units for awards earned during calendar year 2025.

These awards celebrate the dedication, professionalism, and service demonstrated by our team throughout the year. From lifesaving actions and distinguished performance to years of service, specialized assignments, and community involvement, each recipient represents the very best of the ZPD.

Congratulations to our agency's top award recipients, including:

🏅 Officer of the Year - Officer Heather Triplett-Keith
Recognized for her professionalism, initiative, leadership, and commitment to serving the Zephyrhills community.

🏅 Employee of the Year - Lauren Freda
Honored for her outstanding service, positive attitude, and willingness to take on additional responsibilities while supporting the department in multiple critical roles.

🏅 Lifesaving Awards - Officer Paul Fellows and Officer Jayven Fitzpatrick
Officer Fellows was recognized for applying a tourniquet and stabilizing a shooting victim suffering from life-threatening bleeding. Officer Fitzpatrick was honored for administering Narcan and providing critical care that helped save the life of an overdose victim.

🏅 Chief's Award - Lauren Freda
Recognized for her exceptional contributions to the department and her unwavering dedication to supporting officers, staff, and agency operations.

🏅 Volunteer of the Year – Gwen Beasley
Honored for her dedicated service as a crossing guard, helping keep local students safe and serving as a positive and dependable presence in our community.

The ceremony also recognized members of the ZPD for distinguished performance, educational achievement, fitness excellence, tenure milestones, safe driving, perfect attendance, and numerous specialty assignments that contribute to the success of our department.

Thank you to every sworn officer and civilian member of the Zephyrhills Police Department for your dedication to public safety and service. We are proud to recognize your accomplishments and grateful for the positive impact you make in the Zephyrhills community each day.

05/28/2026

🔒 🚗 Always Lock Your Vehicles!

The Zephyrhills Police Department reminds citizens to help protect their property following a recent uptick in overnight vehicle break-ins throughout Zephyrhills.

Please take a few simple precautions to reduce your risk of car burglaries:

🔒 Always lock your vehicle doors
💼 Remove valuables from plain sight
📱 Do not leave wallets, purses, electronics, or fi****ms inside vehicles
💡 Park in well-lit areas whenever possible
👀 Report suspicious activity immediately to law enforcement

Help keep our community safe by staying alert and reminding your family, friends, and neighbors to do the same.

Dial 911 for emergencies. For non-emergencies, call 813-780-0050, Option 1.

05/28/2026

*Update*

She has been located. Thank you.

*Update*

We need your assistance in locating Jakayla Walk, age 16, who was reported missing and last seen in the area of Green Slope Dr and Pretty Pond Rd, Zephyrhills, on 05/27/26 at approximately 11:00 PM. She is 5’06” and 123 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing gray Reebok sweatpants, a black jacket, and black Crocs. She may have a large brown purse with miscellaneous clothing items.

If you have any information, please contact the Zephyrhills Police Department (813)780-0050 Opt. 1. Thank you

05/26/2026

05/22/2026

🚔👏 Zephyrhills Police Department Lt. Nathan Gardner was recently recognized by City of Zephyrhills - Government Human Resources for his outstanding coordination and support efforts during the East Pasco YMCA's Founders Day 5K Race held at Hercules Park in March 2026!

Multiple East Pasco Family YMCA staff members and advisory board members submitted city employee recognition forms praising Lt. Gardner’s professionalism, communication, and commitment to ensuring a safe and successful event for participants, volunteers, and spectators alike.

Lt. Gardner worked closely with East Pasco YMCA leadership to help design a race route that minimized traffic concerns by utilizing sidewalks throughout the 5K course. He also met with YMCA Board members to discuss the best positioning for Zephyrhills Police officers and volunteers to keep runners safe and reduce confusion along the route.

In addition, Lt. Gardner conducted a drive-through of the race route the day before the event to confirm officer placement and graciously coordinated the use of the ZPD headquarters parking lot as a mid-point water station for the 5K race.

🗣️Some of the comments shared by the East Pasco YMCA included:

❝On behalf of the East Pasco YMCA, we want to thank Nate and his team for supporting our 5K race at Hercules Park. Your input and help with logistics made everything run smoothly. Thank you for keeping us safe and supporting the local community.❞

❝Nate and his team were instrumental in the success of our 5K! Having a police presence was wonderful and helped put our runners at ease, especially with a new route this year. Nate was friendly, knowledgeable, and easy to work with!❞

Way to go, Lt. Gardner!

05/21/2026

*Update*

She has been located. Thank you.

*Update*

We need your assistance in locating Linda Redding, age 65, who was reported missing and last seen in the area of 8th Ave and Ridge St, Zephyrhills, on 05/21/26 at approximately 07:30 AM. She is 5’04” and 140 pounds, with short red/gray hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing an unknown shirt, black pants, and possibly carrying a gray backpack and purse with a flower design.

If you have any information, please contact the Zephyrhills Police Department (813)780-0050 Opt. 1. Thank you

05/09/2026

*Update*

She has been located. Thank you.

*Update*

We need your assistance in locating Halo Buffington, age 17, who was reported missing and last seen in the area of 6th Ave and 24th St, Zephyrhills, on 05/04/26 at approximately 09:30 PM. She is 5’05” and 135 pounds, with red hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a grey tank top, black shorts, and no shoes. She has a nose piercing.

If you have any information, please contact the Zephyrhills Police Department (813)780-0050 Opt. 1. Thank you

05/01/2026

We’re asking for the community’s help in locating the owner of a dog that was found in the area of Pure Water Way in Zephyrhills.

If you or someone you know is missing a dog, or if you have any information that could help identify the owner, please contact the Zephyrhills Police Department (813)780-0050 Option 1.

05/01/2026

Did you know? 👀

The Zephyrhills Police Department offers an "Internet Purchase Exchange Location" in our parking lot.

📍 6118 8th Street, Zephyrhills, FL 33542

It’s a well-lit, designated space for conducting peer-to-peer online transactions (such as Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and more).

The area is monitored with 24/7 video surveillance to help you complete transactions safely.

It’s a neutral, public location so you can avoid meeting strangers at private residences - a safe spot to exchange electronics, clothing, and other items.

04/22/2026

We get it - some trends are hard to resist…but filming behind the wheel?

That’s a hard no from us at the Zephyrhills Police Department.

📵 Keep your phone down
🚗 Keep your eyes up
👍 Arrive safely

Make the video after you park - trust us, it’ll still go viral.