Police Dept. Hero Honored with Thunderbirds Flight

A yearly tradition of the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo, the Hometown Hero ride honored Sergeant Chad Mumbauer of the Lakeland Police Department. 

The Hometown Hero ride takes place with each year's respective military demonstration team, thanking those public servants that make the week possible through their patience, effort, adn assistance throughout Sun 'n Fun. The City of Lakeland PD and the Polk County Sheriff's Office have been instrumental in keeping things safe and secure throughout the event. 

With the large crowds and large quantity of rare, expensive, and sometimes irreplaceable pieces of aviation history floating around, local law enforcement has been key to maintaining an atmosphere that allows visitors and attendees to feel comfortable and secure in cutting loose and enjoying the show. In recognition of their efforts, both departments were offered the opportunity to nominate officers that they felt were most deserving of a special recognition and a ride of their life with the country's most elite military demonstration team (though the Navy's Blue Angels might contend that point). 

The Thunderbird chose Sergeant Mumbauer, saying he represented the core of a public law enforcement officer. A former Marine Corps officer with more than a quarter century of law enforcement experience under his belt, Mumbauer has survived 3 bouts of brain cancer in the last decade yet still bounced back and returned to full time leadership of the department's special operations unit. 

“It is opportunities such as the Hometown Hero ride that Sergeant Mumbauer will enjoy with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds that reminds us that our event has a heart and soul and we are honored to have enabled this experience for him.” said John “Lites” Leenhouts, outgoing CEO of Sun ‘n Fun Fly-in and the Aerospace Center for Excellence.

The Hometown Hero ride will not be a portion of the Sun 'n Fun airshow roster, instead providing a short respite from the pressure of the crowds on April 7th as they launch from the North side of the airport. The ride will take place before the Thunderbird Diamond Practice departure.

FMI: www.flysnf.org