One of the top Charlotte County first responders with ties to Lee County faces impaired driving charges.
Michael Vernon Davis, 53, faces one count of DUI. He is the deputy chief for Charlotte County Fire and EMS.
“We don’t comment on personnel issues,” Brian Gleason, spokesperson for the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners, wrote in a text message to The News-Press on Dec. 30.
The News-Press on Jan. 2 followed up with a public records request that sought a list of any discipline taken against Davis; any payroll records associated with Davis; a copy of Davis’ personnel file, pay grades over the years, and any awards, commendations, or disciplinary procedures he was subject to; and any electronic or written communications involving the Dec. 25, 2024 arrest of Mr. Davis in Lee County.
The initial request was not acknowledged until this news organization followed up Tuesday.
“Please refrain from sending duplicate requests into our office as it only slows down the process time,” replied Michael Wintercorn, records management specialist for Charlotte County. “We received your request from 01/02/2025 and are actively processing it. Once complete you will be provided a response.”
According to the state legislature, “a custodian of public records and his or her designee must acknowledge requests to inspect or copy records promptly and respond to such requests in good faith.”
Lee County sheriff’s deputies booked Davis into the Lee County Jail just before 2 a.m. Christmas Day and released him the same morning on $500 bond.
According to his incident report, sheriff’s deputies were at the intersection of of Bayshore Ranch Drive and Bayshore Road around midnight Christmas Day when Davis reportedly passed a sheriff’s cruiser without a license plate attached to his vehicle.
The sheriff’s deputy activated his emergency lights and noted that Davis “appeared to have a delayed reaction to the overhead emergency lighting.”
When the sheriff’s deputy pulled Davis over, he asked the first responder if the vehicle was registered to operate on a public road, which Davis declined. A supplemental report indicates the sheriff’s deputy warned Davis that his refusal would suspend his driving privilege for a year.
As they spoke, the sheriff’s deputy noted the smell of alcohol from Davis, a “thick-tongued speech” and trouble forming certain words and pairing sentences.
Davis would not follow the movements of the sheriff’s deputy’s fingers while he performed the field sobriety tests. The sheriff’s deputy noted that Davis’ eyes “would not track or pursue smoothly.”
When Davis attempted to walk in a straight line, the sheriff’s deputy wrote in the report, the deputy fire and EMS chief did not touch heel to toe on any step; took the incorrect number of steps; and on his fourth and final step, Davis stepped off the line to turn around and face the sheriff’s deputy, saying, “We’re done.”
As Davis attempted to stand on one leg, the sheriff’s deputy noted, he swayed as he balanced. He only held the position for four seconds, the report indicates.
The report indicates Davis ultimately declined to provide a breath sample, which would determine his blood-alcohol level. In Florida, the legal limit is 0.08.
His LinkedIn page indicates Davis resides in North Fort Myers.
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According to the Charlotte County Fire and EMS site, his public safety career began as an EMT in 1993 and advanced through the ranks with Lee County EMS.
In 1999, Davis became Estero Fire’s first paramedic to run advanced life support as a firefighter-paramedic. Davis spent a decade with Estero Fire, ultimately climbing to the lieutenant post.
Charlotte County officials have declined multiple requests inquiring about Davis’ employment status following his arrest.
Davis is next due in court Jan. 13 for his arraignment.
Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Charlotte County Fire, EMS deputy chief arrested for DUI in Lee County