Peachtree It’s not often that someone is stabbed in the head and lives to talk about it, but for one resident of Cherokee County that’s exactly what happened.
Joseph Venero has even been hit by someone else who was impaired while behind the wheel. But sometimes that’s just a day in the life of a law enforcement officer.
Venero was born in 1964 in Florida. The Tampa resident grew up in the Sunshine State, graduating from Leto High School. He’s held several jobs, like working at Albertson’s grocery store, Raybro Electric Supply and in law enforcement.
With two parents in law enforcement, it seemed only natural that he would follow that career path. His dad was a major with the Tampa Police Department, while his stepmother was a major with the Florida Marine Patrol.
He started out in Hillsborough County, Fla., working four years in the detention center. That’s where he was assaulted with a broom handle by an inmate who had been sentenced to life.
Venero was the first officer to enter his jail cell to extract the prisoner, who was causing a problem. Upon entering, the prisoner broke a broom over his head, then stabbed Venero with the sharp end.
Another assault in which Venero was the victim occurred during his daily duties as a peace officer. He was hit head-on by someone who was driving under the influence of alcohol and fled the scene, but not before going through his own vehicle’s windshield. It took three days for the cops to locate the man.
“He looked like Freddy Krueger when we caught him. He was cut up after going through the glass,” said Venero, who was knocked out during the hit and run. He has also received a concussion and two sprained ankles.
On his first day as a detective, he helped catch a murder suspect. It was easier for Venero than the other officers, as he had already dealt with the alleged murder suspect.
He remembered one call he received that turned out well and involved two missing children. The kids were runaways from school. Venero located the 5- and 6-year-olds and asked why they ran away. After informing the cop that they were afraid they’d get in trouble if they went back, he was able to talk them into returning to the schoolhouse.
Venero stayed in law enforcement for 29 years before retiring in 2014. He has received numerous “attaboys” from the sheriff during his career but said, “All the good can be dismissed with just one ‘Oh (expletive)’ moment.”
When asked what he didn’t like about law enforcement, he said, “Working with upper management.” Venero did enjoy “the hunt” – the thrill of finding the bad guy.
More recently, he has raised bees and sold their honey to those wanting the golden goodness. As time went on, it became more difficult to keep the bees alive and from dangers, such as pests and insecticides.
Venero has also taken down bee hives for folks as well as caught and removed swarms. But about two years ago, he stopped the bee business.
Today, he and his wife of 13 years, Michelle, enjoy the retired life. However, he plans to go back to work, this time in disaster security. Soon he’ll be helping protect business assets when impending hurricanes threaten the Gulf of Mexico region.
Venero has four children, one grandchild, one cat and a dog. His hobbies include deer and turkey hunting, fishing, four-wheeling, working on his Jeep as well as camping, scuba diving and geocaching, which is treasure hunting using GPS.
He stays busy, making for a fun and interesting journey.