Sheriff Ivey: Darrel Conner Was A Trusted Partner

By  //  March 8, 2014

Conner was well respected BCSO member

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Last week we lost a member of our Brevard County Sheriff’s Office family, Corrections Deputy Darrel Conner, who was reported missing by his family last Sunday morning.

Last week we lost a member of our Brevard County Sheriff's Office family, Corrections Deputy Darrel Conner, who was reported missing by his family last Sunday morning. (BCSO image)
BREVARD COUNTY WAYNE IVEY: Last week we lost a member of our Brevard County Sheriff’s Office family, Corrections Deputy Darrel Conner, who was reported missing by his family last Sunday morning. (BCSO image)

Since Darrel was reported missing, search teams comprised from our agency, the Titusville Police Department, and our community worked virtually round the clock to do everything they could to locate Darrel and bring him home safely. Unfortunately, Darrell had a serious health concern, where with every minute that passed without medication, the search and rescue became more critical.

Each of these incredible stories clearly defines that Darrel was a great Father, Son, Brother, Corrections Deputy and Friend. He was a trusted partner and someone who made everyone laugh. Darrel was a valued friend as demonstrated by the large numbers volunteering to help him in his time of need. I know in my heart that Darrel would be honored to have so many friends and citizens working around the clock in an effort to bring him home. 

On Wednesday morning, search teams in the area of Garden Street and Interstate 95 located Darrel, who had expired most likely from his medical condition. While we may never have all of the answers, what we do know is that Darrel was a well-respected member of our agency and was beloved by his family, co-workers and friends.

I personally watched approximately 300 members of our agency and community show up at the Command Post to join search teams and offer assistance. As each volunteer would arrive, they would often share stories about Darrel from their own personal and professional associations with him.

Each of these incredible stories clearly defines that Darrel was a great Father, Son, Brother, Corrections Deputy and Friend. He was a trusted partner and someone who made everyone laugh. Darrel was a valued friend as demonstrated by the large numbers volunteering to help him in his time of need. I know in my heart that Darrel would be honored to have so many friends and citizens working around the clock in an effort to bring him home.

John Lau
John Lau

Members of our agency are working to comfort Darrel’s family and to assist as they prepare the final arrangements. I would like to thank Chief John Lau and all of the members of the Titusville Police Department for their tremendous efforts to locate Darrel and support his family during this very difficult time.

I would like to also personally thank everyone who participated in the search efforts to bring Darrel home and for the many thoughts and prayers that have been shared with our agency during this difficult time.

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.

Sheriff Wayne Ivey

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.