Security Officer of the Year 2025

Each year at our annual leadership conference, we recognize an outstanding individual as Officer of the Year. This award celebrates someone who has not only excelled in their responsibilities but has also significantly contributed to their local team and our company through their exceptional dedication and performance.

Security Officer of the Year 2025

Aaron Polak (Fort Lauderdale)

Officer Polak joined Sunstates as an armed officer in February 2024, bringing with him a decade of service in the Israeli military. His previous career instilled in him crucial skills such as situational awareness, critical thinking, teamwork, purposeful movement, task completion, and time management. Before leaving the US to serve in Israel, he completed his EMT training in Coral Springs, FL, which he utilized later in his career with Sunstates.

Officer Polak was assigned to the client’s site, which is the largest land-based federation in the country. He worked several positions on the campus until being permanently posted at a luxury senior living community due to his extraordinary customer service and attentiveness.

On Sunday, October 27, 2024, a medical emergency alerted the authorities to an unresponsive resident. Officer Polak and an EMR team member arrived at the apartment to find the resident not breathing. They immediately began CPR, which proved unsuccessful initially. At that point, Officer Polak directed them to retrieve the AED. Following his instruction, they continued chest compressions and applied the AED. After the second AED cycle, the resident gasped for air, regained responsiveness, and a pulse was detected.

Following the return of her pulse and breathing, they administered oxygen and continued to stabilize the resident until EMS arrived to transport her to the hospital. Several weeks later, she returned home, where Officer Polak had the opportunity to meet her, now fully recovered without any lasting effects.

Leadership at the facility has also expressed their deep gratitude for Aaron’s heroic actions. The Client VP stated, “I would like to sincerely thank Aaron Polak for his rapid lifesaving response and teamwork with assisting the EMRs in this critical situation. Aaron, your compassion and dedication to our residents and team members is greatly appreciated.” This acknowledgment highlights the value placed on Aaron’s swift response and his commitment to the community.

Further highlighting the significance of Aaron’s intervention, the Client President & CEO conveyed their appreciation, stating, “Please thank Aaron on our behalf. His efforts were significant and impactful. We truly appreciate his commitment and dedication to our residents!”

Great work and thank you, Officer Polak and the two other EMR members, Wanya & Eduardo, for quickly responding to this critical scene and having a positive outcome.