PHOTO BY ROBERT BLANCHARD

Lake Wales Branch 5109 of the NAACP celebrates their 40th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet in Lake Wales on Saturday night.

PHOTO BY ROBERT BLANCHARD

Wanda Howard (left) presents Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings and his wife, Valdez B. Demings with a gift. Mrs. Demings is a former Chief of the Orlando Police Department (retired) and was a 2012 Democratic Candidate for Congressional District 10.

PHOTO BY ROBERT BLANCHARD

Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings introduces the Keynote Speaker for the evening, his wife, Valdez B. Demings. Mrs. Demings is a former Chief of the Orlando Police Department (retired) and was a 2012 Democratic Candidate for Congressional District 10.

PHOTO BY ROBERT BLANCHARD

The Keynote Speaker for the evening, Valdez B. Demings takes the podium during Saturday evening's NAACP 40th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet in Lake Wales. Mrs. Demings was the first female Chief of Police at the Orlando Police Department.

PHOTO BY ROBERT BLANCHARD

Representatives of the Lake Wales Police Department and the Polk County Sheriffs Office attend the NAACP 40th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet in Lake Wales on Saturday night.

PHOTO BY ROBERT BLANCHARD

Lake Wales NAACP President David M. Smith, Sr. welcomes Valdez (Val) B. Demings to the NAACP 40th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet held at the James P. Austin Center on Saturday night

PHOTO BY ROBERT BLANCHARD

Reverend Lawrence Epps presents an award to Deborah E. Moure, Chairperson for the 2013 Freedom Fund Banquet Committee.

PHOTO BY ROBERT BLANCHARD

Valdez B. Demings, former Chief of the Orlando Police Department (retired) and 2012 Democratic Candidate for Congressional District 10 is presented with an award.

PHOTO BY ROBERT BLANCHARD

Polk Sheriff Deputy Narvell Peterson, Chairman of the MLK Jr. Committee, (left) receives the James P. Austin, Jr, "Eagle Award" presented by Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings at Saturday night's 40th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet in Lake Wales.

PHOTO BY ROBERT BLANCHARD

Valdez B. Demings with husband, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings at the NAACP 40th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet in Lake Wales on Saturday night.

FILE PHOTO