At the Fort Myers Police Department, David Dietz doesn’t have the flashiest detective job.
Most of his day is spent behind a desk.
"A lot of investigators would say it's actually boring work," Dietz told Gulf Coast News. "Tedious work, and they don't like doing it."
But in his role, Dietz has thrived. He investigates economic crimes: cases involving money laundering, fraud and scams. They are the types of crimes that can impact anyone.
"My day-in and day-out mindset is really to try to help my victims hopefully get them some sort of restitution," Dietz said.
And he has.
One of his most memorable cases was against Patti Newcomer, who was convicted for stealing tens of thousands of dollars from an elderly person she was hired to care for during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The case took time—as most of his do—but served as a reminder of why he wears the badge.
"It's more of a reminder that I have a duty and a job to the people of the city of Fort Myers to try to make them whole again," Dietz said.
That mindset is now getting the recognition it deserves. Dietz has been named a finalist for Law Enforcement Officer of the Year in Lee County.
While the detective doesn’t have the type of job you'd see on a TV drama, he’s proof of the unheralded heroes of the community serving people every day.
"Getting the recognition for the hard work that goes into these types of cases – it is very warming to know that you're being acknowledged," Dietz said. "People see what you're doing."