Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Doug Waller Retires After Stellar 34-Year Career

By  //  June 28, 2021

Chief Waller leaves behind a legacy of professionalism and valued public service

WATCH: Chief Deputy Doug Waller of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office retired after a stellar 34-year career. Under Chief Waller, the agency has enjoyed unprecedented success in combating violent crimes. In conjunction with protecting the citizens of the Space Coast, Chief Waller was honored as a Central Florida Humanitarian in 2016 for his efforts in the development of the Brevard County Public Safety Charity concept, which was created to support Brevard County’s public safety members in their time of need.

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BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Chief Deputy Doug Waller of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office retired after a stellar 34-year career protecting and improving the Space Coast community. Under Chief Waller, the agency has enjoyed unprecedented success in combating violent crimes during a period that saw the population almost triple.

Chief Waller’s retirement ceremony was held at the Merritt Island Moose Lodge where more than 350 colleagues, friends, family and admirers attended on a Thursday afternoon to pay tribute for his years of dedicated service to protecting our community.

Chief Waller was also honored with the Department of Justice Eagle Award for Excellence in Criminal Justice Leadership by the United States Attorney’s Office, the United States Secret Service Law Enforcement Leadership Award and the Brevard County Chiefs of Police Association Leadership Award.

Waller’s roots run deep in Brevard County. His parents, Robert and Barbara, moved to Merritt Island in 1976 and he’s a 1982 graduate of Merrit Island High School where he played on the football team for the Mustangs. He married his high school sweetheart, Theresa, and the couple has two children.

Chief Waller was recruited to the agency by Captain Speedy DeWitt in 1985 as an intern while attending Florida State University, and upon graduation from FSU in 1987, he was hired by Sheriff Jake Miller.

DeWitt was Wallers’ baseball coach and DeWitt’s children attended the retirement party, along with Cathy Miller, Sheriff Jake Miller’s wife, and Vicki Clark, Chief Deputy Ron Clark’s wife.

CHIEF DEPUTY DOUG WALLER of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, second from left, retired after a stellar 34-year career protecting and improving the Space Coast community. With Chief Waller are, left to right, Sheriff Wayne Ivey, Chief Mike DeMorat and Chief Alan Moros, who retired last year.

Chief Waller leaves behind a legacy of professionalism and valued public service as a highly decorated officer who was originally hired by Sheriff Miller in January 1987 and subsequently climbed through the ranks to serve as the agency’s Chief Deputy for the past eight years.

As Chief Deputy, Chief Waller was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and the supervision of its 1,700 members. Doug’s duties and oversight also included coordination of support for our local, state and federal partners, 24-hour operational direction and awareness of the agency, budget, and much more.

“When I was first elected, Doug was an easy choice and a sure fit to serve as our Chief Deputy as we had worked closely together for many years when I was with FDLE and he served as Commander of BCSO Investigations,” said Sheriff Wayne Ivey.

“WHEN I WAS FIRST ELECTED, Doug was an easy choice and a sure fit to serve as our Chief Deputy as we had worked closely together for many years when I was with FDLE and he served as Commander of BCSO Investigations,” said Sheriff Wayne Ivey.

“Throughout his career, Doug worked for four different Sheriffs and has greatly served each of them with honor, dignity, integrity, and passion. Bottom line, Doug is ‘rock solid’ and has done an amazing job at training and mentoring our team members to rise to the next level in their careers.

“On a personal level, I will miss Doug’s assistance in helping steer our agency, his amazing level of experience, and his friendship as a co-worker and partner. Well done my brother, you did what you were meant to do in life and your efforts and dedication to our agency and community are greatly and forever appreciated,” said Sheriff Ivey.

In conjunction with protecting the citizens of the Space Coast, Chief Waller has been a driving force behind the development of the Brevard County Public Safety Charity concept, which was created to support Brevard County public safety members in their time of need.

Doug Waller, left, during a drug bust, circa 1988.
Doug Waller during a drug bust, circa 1988.

He also played a major role in the evolution of the Sheriff’s Pet Posse, which partners with Brevard County citizens and businesses to fund animal services.

These charities and worthy causes have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars over the past several years to help injured or ill public safety members, repair and build quality facilities for our homeless and abused pets, and feed and provide vet care for every animal in at the Brevard County Animal Care Centers.

Chief Waller is a second-generation law enforcement officer, as both of his parents are former members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He is the first employee in the agency’s history to achieve every attainable rank within the sheriff’s office. In 2001, Chief Waller was selected to attend the FBI National Academy in Quantico Virginia, where less than 1 percent of all law enforcement officers worldwide make the cut.

He was described by former Sheriff Jack Parker as “a leader among leaders who has earned a reputation for creating innovative and creative techniques within the framework of the modern law enforcement organizations. His operational concepts are considered a national model of efficiency and effectiveness.”

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Brevard County Chief Deputy Doug Waller, right, with his father, Space Coast Public Service Hall of Fame Inductee Robert Waller, center, and Medal of Honor recipient Melvin Morris.

MODEL PROGRAMS

Under Waller’s vision and leadership, the S.O.R.T. Unit has been extremely successful, becoming the model program for law enforcement agencies around the country to follow.

Since its inception, hundreds of predators have been arrested for the exploitation and solicitation of children for sexual acts or for actively producing and distributing child pornography and dozens of children have been rescued from ongoing sexual abuse.

Another example of Waller’s vision and leadership is being instrumental in and co-creating a highly successful innovative program titled “GAMEOVER Task Force” (Gang And Major Epidemic Of Violence Enforcement Response) in Brevard County, which now serves as a model program for the State of Florida.

Another example of Doug Waller’s vision and leadership is being instrumental in and co-creating a highly successful innovative program titled “GAMEOVER Task Force” (Gang And Major Epidemic Of Violence Enforcement Response) in Brevard County, which now serves as a model program for the State of Florida.

Instrumental in the development and amendment of several of Florida’s laws as related to the safety of our citizens, Chief Waller is well known in the legislative circles and can be found in committee chambers and House/Senate floors persistently expressing his opinion and expertise throughout the legislative sessions.

Chief Waller has been very involved and supported community service and volunteer programs, additionally contributing many hours to the Brevard County school system. He is known for his support and participation in school science programs and the education and familiarization of students with Florida habitat and wildlife.

There is no doubt that Chief Doug Waller was born to be a law enforcement officer – and is an outstanding example of a person dedicated to the safety, protection and advocacy of every citizen.

“We live in a community that loves and supports their Sheriff’s Office,” said Chief Waller. “There is no greater feeling than knowing when things get tough, our citizens are standing with us, protecting us as we protect them. The relationship we share with our citizens is earned, the trust and respect are mutual, and I believe most truly understand that this isn’t an easy job.”

Under Chief Deputy Douglas S. Waller of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the agency has enjoyed unprecedented success in the combating of violent crimes. In conjunction with protecting the citizens of the Space Coast, Chief Waller has been a driving force behind the development of the Brevard County Public Safety Charity concept, which was created to support Brevard County public safety members in their time of need.
Under Chief Deputy Douglas S. Waller of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the agency has enjoyed unprecedented success in combating violent crimes. In conjunction with protecting the citizens of the Space Coast, Chief Waller has been a driving force behind the development of the Brevard County Public Safety Charity concept, which was created to support Brevard County public safety members in their time of need.
AT LEFT: The Waller family in 2016 when Doug’s father, Robert, was honored during the Space Coast Public Service Awards with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Robert was an FBI Special Agent for 32 years, including in Cocoa, Florida.

CHIEF DOUG WALLER’S ACCOMPLISHMENT INCLUDE:

■ Presented with the prestigious Livio Beccaccio nomination from the FBI National Academy Association by the Florida Chapter for exemplary character, outstanding innovation and leadership in law enforcement.
■ First employee in the history of the BCSO to earn and achieve every attainable rank from Deputy to Acting Sheriff.
■ Creator of the Sexual Offender Registration and Tracking Unit (S.O.R.T.), one of the most respected units in the country that locates and prosecutes Internet predators who search the web for child victims. Waller’s team has been so successful that it has led the nation in cases presented for prosecution and was selected as the case study for the Internet Crimes Against Children’s National Convention as the example of excellent multi-jurisdictional cooperation.
■ Co-creator and leader of GAMEOVER (Gang and Major Epidemic of Violence Enforcement Response) Task Force whose primary focus is to apprehend the “worst of the worst” repeat violent offenders and then monitor the prosecution process to ensure maximum periods of incarceration.
■ Special assignments serving with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI, U.S. Marshal’s Service, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
■ Supervisor of the agency’s Investigative Units and the countywide Drug Task Force, which Waller oversaw when recognized by the International Narcotics Officers Association in Montreal Canada for an investigation that led to the arrests of more than 100 of the nation’s worst drug distributors, as well as Columbian drug cartel leaders.
■ International Narcotics Enforcement Association Special Award of Honor presented in Orlando Florida for an international cocaine distribution organization dismantled operation with Nigerian and Jamaican drug sources.
■ Governor’s Florida Crime Commission Award
■ Organizer of the Sheriff’s Animal Services and animal care centers based upon Sheriff Ivey’s vision and passion, which have attained a no-kill status.
■ Received the Space Coast Manager of the Year, Child Abuse Prevention Task Force Agency Leader of the Year and the Brevard Humanitarian awards.

“When I was first elected, Doug was an easy choice and a sure fit to serve as our Chief Deputy as we had worked closely together for many years when I was with FDLE and he served as Commander of BCSO Investigations,” said Sheriff Wayne Ivey.
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