WHPD Release:

Two Winter Haven officers were injured after encountering a man in a wheelchair wielding a 9″ knife.

Both officers sustained non-life threatening injuries and were treated and released at the scene.
Just after midnight (12:30 a.m. 5-25-18), officers responded to Central Tavern (273 Central Ave W, Winter Haven) where a man in a wheelchair was reported to have a large knife attached to his wheelchair and he constantly would take out and show around. He left prior to law enforcement arriving.
When officers arrived, they found 29 year-old Emmanuel Ruiz Mejia (DOB 9-30-89, 1042 29th St N.W., Winter Haven) around the corner in front of a business just beside the parking garage.

As officers approached Mejia, they told him they were there investigating a possible disturbance, but Mejia attempted to roll past them in his wheelchair. A large sword-style knife was seen on the back of the wheelchair and was immediately removed for safety reasons. As officers continued to attempt to speak with him, Mejia placed his left hand under his thigh and appeared to be clinching something. Mejia would not comply with commands to show both hands and officers feared he was hiding a weapon.

Mejia continued to refuse commands to show his hands. Officer Kristopher Corley pulled his agency issued Taser and continued to command Mejia to show his hands. After numerous commands and Mejia continuing to refuse to show his hands, the taser was used to gain compliance. Mejia pulled his hands from under his thighs and a large serrated knife was plainly seen in his hand. He refused to surrender the knife and he was tackled to the ground in another attempt to get the knife. At this point Mejia thrust the knife towards Officer Kristopher Corley’s face causing lacerations from his neck and across his face.
Officer Edgardo Cruz deployed his taser and at the end of the cycle, Mejia picked the knife back up and threw it directly at Officer Cruz causing a laceration on his hand as he deflected the weapon.

Ultimately Mejia was handcuffed and taken into custody. After being medically evaluated at Winter Haven Hospital, he was transported to Polk County Jail and booked on 2 counts of Aggravated Battery on Law Enforcement Officer (F1), 2 counts of Resisting Officers With Violence (F-3) and 4 counts of Resisting Officers Without Violence (M1).
“We are thankful that the injuries sustained to Officers Corley and Cruz are minor and they ultimately can go home to their family, said Chief Charlie Bird. “This guy had no regard for life whatsoever and he is where he belongs and hopefully will stay there for a long time.”

Gourmet Gents Serving Polk County For 15 Years

by James Coulter

Nathaniel Birdsong, Mayor Pro-Tem of Winter Haven, has been faithfully serving his constituents for more than 15 years.

During that same time, he has also been serving them literally with good old-fashioned home cooking during Gourmet Gents, the annual dinner and fundraiser for the Polk County chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW 100).

For 15 years, he has consistently attended the annual dinner, serving everything from collard greens and macaroni and cheese to squash casserole and sweet potato soufflé.

“I have been coming out here since the beginning,” he said. “I have never missed it once.”

As someone who has worked at various restaurants in Winter Haven at a young age, Birdsong has developed a love of cooking, a love which he more than happily shares during the annual dinner.

Aside from serving good food, he loves supporting NCBW 100, not only because his wife is one of the founding members, but because it has supported many young black women within the local community.

“It is a great, great community event,” he said. “I like seeing the community and being in this event with the people who are putting in on.”

Gourmet Gents is the signature fundraiser for NCBW 100, a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for the educational and economic support of young black women.

Since its inception, the Polk County chapter has provided much needed mentorship for young black women within Haines City and throughout the county, especially by providing them with scholarships.

“There are many young ladies from around here who have graduated from college,” said Lisa Cheatom, 100BW Secretary.

Their scholarships are funded through their annual signature dinner, Gourmet Gents, which has been hosted for the past 15 years.

The dinner offers food prepared and served by local men within the community, including local politicians like Birdsong. This year’s event had more than 50 gents serving food.

Aside from serving consistently good food from good local men, the event has also been going strong for the past 15 years due to the sense of camaraderie it creates among participants.

“It has been the support of the community,” explained Dana Moore, NCBW 100 President. “Without the individuals purchasing the tickets and the gents volunteering their time and food, we could not complete this.”

Dr. Shandale Terrell, Candidate for Florida House Representative District 40, has been attending for nearly 10 years, which each year allowing him to show off his 20 years of barbecuing experience.

This year he served sliced barbecue chicken, which he claims is so good that it disappears in seconds. The secret is the seasoning and marinate that he applies well before the event, he explained.

While he loves how other people love his barbecue, he loves supporting the mission and outreach of NCBW 100, as well as the overall good company.

“What I appreciate is that they give back to the community,” he said. “Most of all, I enjoy the [organization], the atmosphere, the camaraderie…it is the best, friendly atmosphere.”

Morris West, Mayor of Haines City, has been attending for the past three years since NCBW 100 started hosting its event within his city.

As with the other gents that evening, the event allows him to showcase his fine cooking, such as with the oatmeal cookies he served, prepared from homemade dough so thick he needed a fork to press them, he said.

But most of all, he appreciates being able to contribute to a great organization that has done great things for the young women within his city.

“Thank you to the NCBW 100 for all you do here and all you continue to do…to promote equity for all,” he addressed the crowd that evening. “Thank you all for coming out and taking time for your busy schedule to welcome each and every person here to support the vision of the organization.”

Polk County’s NCBW 100 will be hosting My Sister’s Keeper, a series of financial literacy workshops that are free to the public, next month. For more information, visit their website: http://www.nc100bwpcc.org/