November 12, 2024
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Honors Lt. Ralph McDuffie For 30 Years of Dedicated Service
By Kyle Coppola
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Honors Lt. Ralph McDuffie For 30 Years of Dedicated Service
Lake County, FL — Congratulations are in order for Lieutenant Ralph McDuffie, who has marked a remarkable 30-year career milestone with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. A trusted and highly respected leader, Lt. McDuffie has served the community with unwavering dedication since he joined the department in 1994.
Lt. McDuffie’s journey began as a patrol deputy, a role in which he swiftly gained the respect of both his peers and the community. Over the years, he expanded his responsibilities by working as a K9 handler and later as the Motors Unit Sergeant. In 2002, he earned a promotion to sergeant and, in 2015, rose to the rank of lieutenant.
One of Lt. McDuffie’s most distinguished roles has been with the LCSO Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, which he joined in 1995. With an extensive background in tactical operations, he now commands the SWAT team, leading them in critical, high-stakes situations where the safety of the public and his team is paramount.
In addition to his leadership duties, Lt. McDuffie has been a dedicated educator, sharing his expertise as an instructor for the Sheriff’s Office, the National Tactical Officers Association, and the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Through his teaching, he has helped train and inspire the next generation of law enforcement officers, emphasizing excellence, safety, and service.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the entire community extend heartfelt thanks to Lt. McDuffie for his decades of service, commitment to public safety, and tireless dedication. His impact will resonate for years to come, not only through his own accomplishments but also in the legacy of those he has mentored and led.
Thank you, Lt. McDuffie, for your exemplary service and the lasting difference you’ve made in Lake County.
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
