Brevard Sheriffs Gather At Police Hall of Fame
By Wayne Ivey, Brevard County Sheriff // September 5, 2013
six brevard sheriffs talk about careers
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – I was truly honored today to have the opportunity to meet and talk with five of my predecessors who’s tenures as Brevard County Sheriff span over the past 51 years.
Yesterday, I met with Sheriff Ralph Clark (1962-1963), Sheriff Rollin Zimmerman (1977-1981), Sheriff Claud W. “Jake” Miller (1981-1997), Sheriff Philip B. Williams (1997-2005) and Sheriff Jack Parker (2005-2013), remarkable men who blazed the trail for the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.
The meeting was incredible as each shared memories of issues and crimes that impacted the agency and community during their respective tenures. They spoke of the accomplishments each believed shaped the direction of our agency, as each Sheriff has left an everlasting fingerprint on Brevard County Law Enforcement and the safety of our citizens.
Our day started at the Kennedy Space Center where the Sheriff’s toured and experienced the Atlantis exhibit. We then met at the American Police Hall of Fame and Museum for a presentation. Attending the presentation were Col. Danny McKnight ret. (Black Hawk Down) and Derrick Kellgren of Kel-Tec CNC Industries Inc.
As a special tribute, Kel-Tec Firearms based in Cocoa, donated a shotgun to each former Sheriff. Each shotgun was personally engraved with the BCSO Logo, the Sheriff’s name, and identified with unique serial numbers reflecting the respective dates of tenure.
On behalf of the nearly 1,300 brave men and women of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and our Community, I wish to personally thank each Sheriff for their service and commitment to our agency and county.
I would additionally like to express my sincere appreciation to George and Derrick Kellgren, owners of Kel-Tec for their very generous gifts and also to Col. Danny McKnight, Sgt. Rob Schmidt, Lt. Mike Scully, Ray Dils, COP Jack Normand, CSI Lisa Connors, Deputy Maria Fernez, Mark Weaver, Bonnie Canada, Jeanette Foster, Cheryl Sink and Lindsey Deaton for making today so special.
Of special recognition I would like to also thank Mr. Barry Shepard of the American Police Hall of Fame and Museum who offered their beautiful facility to host today’s special event.
Today was a special day for me and our agency and I am humbled to have followed in the incredible footsteps of these men and the legacy that each of them created.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey has been a law enforcement officer for over three decades. Sheriff Ivey is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has a Bachelor’s Degree from Daytona State College in Management and Supervision. Sheriff Ivey’s background in law enforcement is inclusive of Management, Criminal Investigations, Narcotics, Patrol Services, Public Integrity Investigations, and Corrections.
Prior to being elected in 2012, Sheriff Ivey served the citizens of the State of Florida as a Resident Agent in Charge for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. As a member of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Sheriff Ivey developed and created the country’s first ever statewide Task Force on Identity Theft. That same year the Task Force was named one of the top five most innovative programs in the country by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and investigated approximately 44 million dollars in fraud cases. Additionally, as a member of FDLE, Sheriff Ivey created the Child Abduction Response Team (C.A.R.T) that re-defined the way Child Abduction cases are conducted throughout the country today. The program was later selected as the most innovative program in the country by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and is now used as a nationwide model in the response and investigation of child abductions.
Sheriff Ivey has testified before the United States Congress on law enforcement related matters and has extensive experience in the area of Public Integrity Investigations. Sheriff Ivey was honored as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Special Agent of the Year (1996) and was also recognized by the Commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for his Outstanding Contributions to Criminal Justice. In August of 2011 Sheriff Ivey was honored by the National Organization of Victims Advocacy for his work at the national level as an advocate of victim’s rights and protection.
Sheriff Ivey speaks regularly on topics such as Identity Theft, Crime in America, Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, and Self Defense through Mental Preparedness. Sheriff Ivey firmly believes that Crime Prevention and Education are vital to reduce our crime rate and protect our community.
