By Ken Jackson
Staff Writer

Kissimmee resident Todd Casidy and his wife Amy are vigilant when it comes to their neighborhood.

Empty homes dot their block off Mill Slough Road, so they keep an eye out to watch for anybody who doesn’t look to belong or fit in.

So when a van was parked on the side of the roadway in the oncoming direction near the house next door around 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 9, the couple thought nothing of calling the Kissimmee Police Department, and Todd felt at ease going outside his door to get a better look.

What happened next isn’t condoned by police, but earned Todd Casidy a Citizen’s Award from the city for coming to the aid of the responding officer, who struggled with a burly, violent suspect who was clearly under the influence.

Casidy was presented the award at Tuesday’s City Commission meeting.

“Mr. Casidy did not hesitate to assist the police officer despite the personal risks that were involved,” Police Chief Lee Massie said. “Mr. Casidy’s actions are noteworthy and reflect the true spirit of citizenship in our community.”

Officer Shannon Dore was called to the scene that night and arrived alone; generally one officer will be sent to investigate a suspicious vehicle. The suspect, who had been sitting in the driver’s seat, quickly exited the van. Dore quickly surmised he was likely intoxicated and tried to block his path, but the suspect began pushing Dore toward the roadway by driving his shoulder into her chest.

Casidy said he heard Dore’s commands, and saw the suspect was not complying, so he came over to assist. Dore, who stands about 5 feet 10 inches tall but is slender, and Casidy, who is close to 6 feet and of average build, eventually each subdued one of the suspect’s arms, but not before he nearly dragged both of them into Mill Slough Road.

Dore said in her statement that she would not have been able to restrain the suspect and keep him from walking into traffic in his intoxicated state without Casidy’s timely help.

“I didn’t know he was there until he came up to help. That’s not something we’d ask the public to do, but in that situation I’m grateful he stepped up and helped,” she said. “I was doing my best to keep both of us out of the road.”

Casidy said the urge to help out became stronger when he saw Dore go for her Taser gun and it failed to fire.

“He was a stocky guy, and I didn’t want her to get hurt. I just could see she needed help,” he said. “We got him on the ground and each pinned an arm.”

The suspect, Loogens Victor, 28, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, resisting with violence and battery on a law enforcement officer.

The incident made for an uneasy rest of the night, he said. Holding a pen to write his police statement was even difficult, so he gave the pen to his wife, Amy Casidy.

“I was his backup, she said. He told me what to write and I did that.”

Todd Casidy said he knows better than to interfere in police business, but acted strictly in the name of safety.

“I would never get involved in a controlled situation, but I saw this heading out of control,” Casidy said. “I just did what any of my friends or family would do.”

In the city of Kissimmee’s presentation, it noted that Casidy’s actions “are noteworthy and reflect the true spirit of citizenship in our community.”

When he got a call asking if he was available at City Hall for the Tuesday meeting, he got concerned, and when he realized the city would be awarding him, he was honored but a bit floored.

“I didn’t expect anything in return. I just wanted to help out,” he said.