🌟𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐒𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐃𝐀𝐘🌟
𝙲𝙾𝙼𝙼𝚄𝙽𝙸𝚃𝚈 𝚁𝙴𝚂𝙿𝙾𝙽𝚂𝙴 𝚄𝙽𝙸𝚃 𝙲𝚁𝙸𝚂𝙸𝚂 𝙲𝙰𝚁𝙴 𝙺𝟿 𝙷𝙰𝙽𝙳𝙻𝙴𝚁: 𝙲𝙷𝙴𝙻𝚂𝙴𝙰 𝙱𝚁𝚄𝙽𝙴𝚁

Chelsea Bruner took a circuitous route to her current position with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Beginning as a Communications call taker in 2014, she was promoted to dispatcher a year later. In 2019 she moved to Court Operations as a liaison for a year before becoming a process server and clerk in LCSO’s Civil Division in 2020.

In December of 2025, Bruner became part of the Community Response Unit in her current role as a Crisis Care K-9 handler. Chelsea is paired with golden retriever Valor, and the two bonded instantly.

“She’s so chill,” Bruner said in describing Valor’s personality. “She can kind of read a room and increase or decrease her level of energy depending upon the circumstances.”

LCSO’s Crisis Care K-9s (Valor and Rollie) provide comfort, compassion, and emotional support to individuals experiencing crisis, trauma, or loss. Bruner and Shelby Reilly work together to assist victims, first responders, students, and community members during difficult situations, helping to reduce stress and promote healing. Through community outreach, critical incident response, and ongoing support services, the unit strengthens the connection between law enforcement and the community while bringing hope and reassurance when it is needed most.

Born in South Roxana, Illinois, Bruner graduated from Roxana Senior High in 2006. She majored in criminal justice at Lewis and Clark Community College, earning an associate’s degree in 2014.

After relocating to Southwest Florida, Chelsea worked odd jobs until hearing about openings as a 911 call taker. She enjoyed the challenge, as well as her stints with Court Operations and the Civil Unit.

“As a call taker, in many cases you’re dealing with people on their worst days,” she explained. “Now, it’s bittersweet to be called out when we are needed. They’re sad situations. I hate to see people sad, especially children. I’ve had losses in my family so I can relate. We’re just hoping to help somebody and our Crisis Care K9s play a big role in that.”

In addition to the call outs, Chelsea and Valor attend community events to interact with the public. Visits to senior living facilities let Valor brighten spirits among residents.

Away from work, Chelsea enjoys keeping up with her 7-year-old son Sawyer – especially his soccer games. She also likes reading and singing 1990s and early 2000s country songs, with Brooks & Dunn as favorites.

“I’ve learned in every position I’ve had with LCSO,” Bruner noted. “In Communications it was how to interact with callers that need help; as a court liaison it was learning more about the judicial system. In Civil, I learned about Florida law, court documents, evictions, and warrants. Now with Valor, it’s helping those who are going through difficult situations. That’s very rewarding.” ... See MoreSee Less

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐋 𝐃𝐎𝐆 𝐓𝐎 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄 🐾❤️

Maui entered the Lee County Sheriff's Office Cell Dog Program as a shelter dog with endless potential. Over 10 weeks, he mastered every command, won over everyone he met, and 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐃𝐨𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐊𝐲𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤.

After graduating, Maui was transferred to Sarasota to find a forever home. What Deputy Black didn't know was that 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐮𝐢 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞.

When the two were reunited, 𝐌𝐚𝐮𝐢 𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤'𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭! ... See MoreSee Less

𝐏𝐚𝐰𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 🐾⭐

Members of the Lee County Sheriff's Office Crisis Care Canine Team and Animal Cruelty Task Force recently visited Lehigh Child Care Center's summer camp to teach campers about animal safety, recognizing the signs of animal cruelty, and the importance of reporting suspected abuse or neglect.

Campers also had the opportunity to meet Valor, our Golden Paws Crisis Care Canine™, who demonstrated how she provides comfort and support to people during difficult times.

By promoting compassion, respect, and responsible decision-making, this presentation gave campers valuable lessons they can carry with them at home, at school, and throughout our community. 🐾💙 ... See MoreSee Less