Give to the Seminole County Sheriff's Office Tom "Pops" Buehler Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Tom Buehler is proof that it is never too late to pursue your dream. Following years of service in the U.S. Army and National Guard, Tom went on to work in a number of industries. At the age of 62, he accomplished a longtime dream by attending the Law Enforcement Academy and becoming a reserve deputy sheriff for the Seminole County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) in Sanford, Florida. Tom volunteered over 2,000 hours a year in the Domestic Security Division assigned to the Fugitive Apprehension Unit and was sworn to the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, with the responsibility of apprehending criminals and keeping our community safe. He was also a volunteer with the SCSO EOD Unit as an assistant bomb tech. 

When Tom passed away peacefully at the age of 73,  his family and colleagues in the law enforcement community established the Tom "Pops" Buehler Memorial Endowed Scholarship in honor of his dedicated service to the Seminole County Sheriff's Office and SCSO Explorer Post 517. Tom's legacy continues through the students enrolled in the Law Enforcement Academy at Seminole State.

Any cadet of the Law Enforcement Academy who is an employee of a city or county law enforcement agency within Seminole County or their child, grandchild, or dependent is eligible.  In addition, those who are active participants of SCSO Explore Post 517 or a veteran of the U.S. Armed Services also are eligible.

Success Stories

David Guzman

I am David Guzman, a first-generation American citizen, first-generation college student, first-generation U.S. Armed Forces member, and soon-to-be first-generation law enforcement officer. My stern upbringing taught me the value of hard work and sweat equity. Because of the foundation my parents laid out for me, I have come ahead in life. With this gift, I fully intend to pay it forward by serving and protecting my community as a law enforcement officer. I am blessed to know that because of this scholarship, I will be able to afford the education to learn how to be an effective officer and how to better serve my community. I am so thankful for this. These words do little to describe it. I truly am humbled by the award and cannot wait to show this college what I intend to do.

Kobe Keller

A Seminole County native, Kobe Keller first became interested in law enforcement after participating in criminal justice classes in high school. Keller will join the City of Lake Mary Police Department after graduation from Seminole State's Law Enforcement Academy and plans to continue his education at Seminole State by pursuing a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice.  Growing up, Keller had many positive experiences with police officers and saw how much law enforcement is there to help others.  

"To be chosen for this scholarship is a blessing and I am grateful for it. The satisfaction that comes from helping someone who is in a tough situation is indescribable. To be able to do this type of work has always been a dream of mine and now my dream has come true."

Kevin Perry

A loving husband and father, Kevin Perry's dream was to serve and protect the public as a law enforcement officer.  Perry is now a deputy sheriff with the Seminole County Sheriff's Office.

Kyle Wojcik

Inspired by his family's legacy of service to others, Kyle Wojcik has always been drawn to public service.  His original goal was to serve in the United States Army but was injured while attending Virginia Military Institute, and returned home to recover. After obtaining his associates degree with Honors, he began interning at the Seminole County Sheriff's Office and enrolled in Seminole State's law enforcement academy.  Wojcik recently fulfilled his dream in June, graduating from Seminole State and being sworn in as a deputy sheriff for the Seminole County Sheriff's Office.

"My father has always provided for our family, but when he lost his job in 2022, it caused a significant amount of financial hardship and put in question whether or not I could afford to help my family and still continue to attend the academy. This scholarship is a blessing and will allow me to honor my family's legacy by being the next generation of public servants in our family."

Additional Information

Thank you to the following supporters of this scholarship:

• Christine Buehler
• William Telkamp
• Seminole County Sheriff's Office Community Foundation, Inc.