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

headshot in front of American flag
Tom Buehler

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

soldier in uniform, sitting in jeep
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.

Additional Information

Thank you to the following supporters of this scholarship:

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

Contact

Foundation for Seminole State
1055 AAA Drive
Heathrow, FL 32746
407.708.4567

To apply for scholarships, visit foundationscholars.com.