Former police spokesman honored

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 10, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG -- Bill Doniel, who retired in March after more than 25 years as the St. Petersburg Police Department's media spokesman, has won a statewide honor.

The Florida Public Information Officers Association presented Doniel with the Jack Espinosa Award at its annual meeting last week in Sarasota. The award, which is for meritorious service, is named for the longtime Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office media spokesman.

"It's a nice honor. It really was. It was kind of a nice way to cap off this year," said Doniel, 58, who was believed to be the nation's longest-serving public information officer when he retired. He started with the police department in 1974.

The award surprised Doniel. He had been invited to the meeting to speak on his experiences through 25 years. On Thursday night, he popped into the awards banquet.

"The funny thing is, I had played golf that day," Doniel said.

"I had just walked in there, and here I am looking like you do after you play golf. I thought I'd better go ahead and eat or there wouldn't be any food left. We were just relaxing" when Espinosa announced the award, he said.

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