Insets: Boca Raton Police Chief Dan Alexander (top) and Capt. Josh Mindick (below)

Boca Raton: Correction

By Steve Plunkett 

    For their work in ejecting a squatter from a $2.5 million Golden Harbour mansion, Police Chief Dan Alexander and Capt. Josh Mindick are now “Knights of Justice.” 

    And they have the medals to prove it. 

    Christine Cherepy, president of the Golden Harbour Homeowners Association, presented the awards at the City Council’s June 11 meeting. 

    “We scratched our heads on how we could recognize them,” Cherepy said, referring to her neighborhood’s “issue with intruders” in December. 

    Residents were shocked to find Andre Barbosa, a 23-year-old Brazilian, and eight other people moved into 580 Golden Harbour Drive sometime after the Bank of America foreclosed on the waterfront property last July. 

    They called police the day after Christmas to remove what they thought were squatters, but Barbosa showed documents he had filed claiming “adverse possession” of the 7,522-square-foot, five-bedroom home. Florida’s adverse possession law enables someone to move into a property and claim the title if they can stay there seven years. 

    A month later, the bank claimed rightful ownership of the house, which has canal views outside and a curved staircase and marbled bath inside. In early February, police and bank officials seized the home and had the locks changed while Barbosa and his group were away. 

    “It was an issue that could have caused a lot of harm. It caused neighbors to be very personally concerned about their safety,” Cherepy said. 

    At one point, edgy residents called Cherepy to report a suspicious vehicle, she said. It turned out to be Mindick on patrol in an unmarked car. 

    “These men did an outstanding job. They went above and beyond in trying to resolve this issue,” Cherepy told council members. 

    The homeowner association researched and found out the medals were available from the American Police Hall of Fame and Museum in Titusville. They wrote nomination letters and collected supporting documents. 

    “I think if anything that came out of this whole ordeal, it really exemplified, defined, what we are as a city,” Alexander said. “Residents were engaged from the beginning. We have no tolerance for anything that diminishes our quality of life in this city.” 

    Mindick said he has had the opportunity to be recognized a lot over the years. 

    “But it’s even more special, it means a lot more, when it comes from the residents themselves. So it’s very rewarding,” he said. 

    Mayor Susan Whelchel said the honor validated her and her colleagues’ belief that Boca Raton has “the best police department and fire department and every other department that’s part of our city.” 

    “And you know, now we have some proof, right?” she said. 

    The American Police Hall of Fame, founded in 1960, was the first national police museum and memorial and is dedicated to law enforcement officers who are killed in the line of duty. It hosts thousands of police officers, family survivors and dignitaries every May 15, Police Memorial Day. 

    The Knight of Justice award is for the “good Samaritan who comes to the aid of those in need,” according to the organization’s website. 

    The 3 1/4-inch medals for Alexander and Mindick also came with a certificate, a uniform bar and a lapel pin.