Charles Ray O'Daniel

            Charles Ray O’Daniel, age 70, of Wellborn, FL passed away Thursday, October 18, 2018. He was born in Portsmouth, VA living most of his life in Brandon, FL, before moving to Live Oak in 2006. He was a retired law enforcement officer who lived in the community of Wellborn, in Suwannee County, Florida.  He retired from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office in Tampa, Florida, in July 2004 after 25 years of service.  He joined the agency in 1979 as a patrol deputy.  His last assignment was in the Community Relations Section as a member of the Sheriff's Homeland Security Unit, a team that conducts security assessments for commercial and resident locations and presents crime prevention programs to adult groups.  Charles was certified as a Florida Crime Prevention Practitioner, having completed requirements through the Florida Crime Prevention Training Institute of the Office of the Attorney General.  He also completed basic and advanced training in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design.  In 2003 he was recipient of the Art Walls Award presented by Suncoast Crime Prevention Association as the Outstanding Crime Prevention Practitioner.  A native of Virginia, he graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelors degree in English and a minor in journalism.  Prior to entering law enforcement, he was employed for eight years in the field of journalism where he was a reporter, photographer and later assistant city editor at the Tampa Times.  A graduate of Recruit Class No. 44, Tampa Police Academy, he placed first in his class in academics and received the Academic Achievement Award.  Charles began his law enforcement career in 1977 with the Temple Terrace Police Department where he was a patrol officer and authored a weekly column for the local newspaper.  At Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, he worked as a patrol deputy, safety education officer and School Resource Officer.  He received the Sheriff's Office Distinguished Performance Award twice and was awarded the Law Enforcement Commendation Medal by the Sons of the American Revolution, Tampa chapter.  In addition to his regular duties, he handled photographic assignments for the Sheriff's Office.  In the field of photography, he has won several awards, including Best in Show at the Hillsborough County Fair and Strawberry Festival Photography Contest, plus first and second place awards in the Florida State Fair.  Additionally, two of his photographs have been published on the covers of magazines: Law and Order, and international law enforcement publication; and the Florida Sheriff's Star, published by the Florida Sheriff's Association.  He has also received instruction at the Nikon School of Photography in digital photography as well as traditional 5 millimeter film photography.  Charles loved taking care of animals on his 27 acre farm and playing the tuba.He was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association, American Pain Horse Association, American Miniature Horse Association and the Gainesville Community Band.  He is survived by his wife, Brenda O’Daniel, Wellborn, FL; one daughter, Deanna Philipps, Plant City, FL.Memorial services will be held at a later date.