The Brevard County Association of Chiefs of Police selected Brevard County Sheriff’s Agent Rick Clements, above right with Sheriff Wayne Ivey, Law Enforcement Officer of the Year during the organization’s annual banquet held on Wednesday evening. (BCSO image)
Brevard County Association of Chiefs of Police Recognizes Law Enforcement Officers From Brevard Who Have Performed Exceptionally
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Brevard County Association of Chiefs of Police selected Brevard County Sheriff’s Agent Rick Clements Law Enforcement Officer of the Year during the organization’s annual banquet held on Wednesday evening.
The Brevard County Association of Chiefs of Police selected Brevard County Sheriff’s Agent Rick Clements Law Enforcement Officer of the Year during the organization’s annual banquet held on Wednesday evening.
The Brevard County Association of Chiefs of Police recognizes law enforcement officers from throughout the county who have performed exceptionally during the year, and Agent Clements’ honor comes on the heels of his recognition as the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Deputy of the Year at the Sheriff’s awards ceremony earlier this month.
Agent Clements was also awarded a Medal of Valor and a Life Saving Award for his incredible actions in 2014.
Agent Clements Saved Man’s Life After Vehicle Crash
In July of 2014, Agent Clements observed a vehicle crash that appeared to have serious injuries. As he made his way through the wreckage, he observed an elderly male victim slumped over.
The victim’s arm was partially amputated, resulting in a significant loss of blood.
Agent Clements used a roll of trauma gauze to pack and cover the wound and then applied a tourniquet to the upper arm of the victim to slow the blood loss.
When fire rescue personnel arrived, they found Agent Clements calmly speaking with victim to prevent shock. They additionally discovered the tourniquet was applied to the critical wound so expertly, that they decided to leave it in place.
The trauma physician at the hospital credited the expert application and efforts with saving the victim’s life, and without it, the victim would have surely bled to death.
Timing is everything, and in this particular incident, Agent Clements had received first-aid training, to include the use and assignment of a tourniquet for critical injury response, just days prior.
Saved Family From Gunman On Christmas Day
Additionally, on Christmas Day, deputies responded to a shooting where a man had become involved in an argument with his family and shot at least nine times into the residence where they, including a 2-year-old child, were celebrating the Holiday.
According to Officer Barbara Matthews of the Cocoa Police Department, Quinten Jamal Smith, 23, of Cocoa, approached a home on Clearlake Road in Cocoa at about 11:30 p.m. on Thursday and fired a weapon nine times into the residence during a drive-by shooting. The house was occupied by six people, including a 2-year-old child. (Cocoa Police image)
Deputies made telephone contact with the suspect who was very emotional, threatened to return and harm his family and advised that he would harm any officer who may stop him.
A warrant was obtained for the suspect and the GAMEOVER Task Force was contacted to locate and arrest him before anyone was harmed.
Agent Clements, a member of the task force, was the first to respond to a location where the suspect was believed to be hiding.
As he established a perimeter while the other members of his elite team responded, he observed the suspect outside an apartment wearing clothing that could not possibly conceal a firearm. Agent Clements moved into a position to challenge the individual before he could arm himself.
Unfortunately, the suspect took flight, entered an apartment with Agent Clements chasing closely behind and picked up a handgun.
The deputy ordered the suspect to drop the weapon, but the suspect then pointed the gun towards his head and, as the deputy tried to talk him into dropping the firearm, he lowered the weapon and manipulated the weapon to load it, pointing it in the direction of the deputy.
Agent Clements was forced to respond to the armed threat with deadly force.
Chief John Lau
Titusville Chief of Police John Lau, President of the Brevard County Association of Chiefs of Police said, “It was truly an honor to recognize each agency’s officer of the year tonight. Each represented their agency and community with honor and distinction.
It is always a difficult decision to identify one recipient as Brevard County’s Officer of the Year, and this year was no different. We are incredibly proud to honor the superior accomplishments of Deputy Rick Clements for his heroic and lifesaving efforts.
The citizens of Brevard are served and protected by an unbelievable group of dedicated law enforcement officers and we are all very proud of them.”
Decorated Member of the Armed Forces
Agent Clements was a decorated member of the United States Air Force before joining the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office in 2006.
He has continued to strive for excellence and his personnel file is filled with letters and certificates of commendation.
Sheriff Wayne Ivey presented Agent Clements with the Medal of Valor on March 6 during the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Awards.
“Agent Clements’ actions demonstrate his true commitment to protecting our citizens with compassion, professionalism and courage,” said Sheriff Ivey.
Sheriff Wayne Ivey
“Rick’s quick thinking and training without question saved the life of a citizen in need while his tactical ability and heroic actions clearly stopped a dangerous and violent criminal that displayed a complete disregard for the lives of others. I could not be more proud of Rick and each of the other Officer of the Year recipients for everything they do to protect our communities and to proudly represent their agencies.”
