Palm Bay Police Department Recognizes Officer Chad Kirk as 2020 Officer of the Year
By Space Coast Daily // March 7, 2021
Has a passion for working investigations that involve children, juvenile delinquents
BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – The Palm Bay Police Department recognized Officer Chad Kirk as the 2020 Officer of the Year.
“Officer Chad Kirk has served our agency since 2018 and has proven himself to a valued member of our organization,” said Palm Bay Police Chief Nelson Moya.
“Officer Kirk has demonstrated his passion for working investigations that involve children, juvenile delinquents and other crimes involving victims of physical abuse/neglect.”
In several cases, Officer Kirk has worked alongside detectives with the Palm Bay Police Special Victims Unit and the Department of Children and Families.
In one case, Officer Kirk investigated a child neglect case in which the parents were leaving their 9-year-old son home alone and it was determined the child could not take care of himself. The parents were arrested and the child was placed with family members.
In another case, Officer Kirk was investigating a case in which a juvenile had run away from her house with an adult boyfriend. Through Officer Kirk’s investigative abilities, he was able to determine that the juvenile needed to be located quickly due to the juvenile falling victim to sex crimes.
“Officer Kirk, along with detectives, were able to locate the juvenile in a different part of the county with the adult boyfriend,” said Chief Moya.
“The boyfriend was charged in the case. Officer Kirk’s quick actions and instinct led to a successful outcome to prevent the juvenile from further violence.”
There are several other cases that shows Officer Kirk’s work ethic and determination to keep children from becoming victims of violent crime.
“He goes above and beyond on every call for service he responds, and ensures the calls are handled properly and to their fullest,” said Chief Moya.
“He provides proper counseling when needed, takes the time and willingness to speak to victims and takes every step necessary to ensure that suspects in these cases go to jail. In addition, he always displays a positive attitude, is respectful to those around him and is always willing to help others.”
