Resolution Supports Brevard County Law Enforcement Officers

Unfortunately, on average, one law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty somewhere in the United States every 57 hours. Since the first known line-of-duty death in 1791, nearly 20,000 U.S. Law Enforcement Officers have made the ultimate sacrifice.

The officers killed in the line of duty are of various ranks; differing in age, gender, and life experience. Each officer, regardless of the circumstances, died in the line of duty.

This week we honored 15 Brevard County Law Enforcement Heroes who each made the ultimate sacrificed in the service and protection our citizens.

Brevard County Law Enforcement Officers Have Made the Ultimate Sacrifice By Giving Their Lives To Protect Us.

Brevard County Heroes are Officer Joseph Pellicano, Melbourne Police Department – 1986, Officer Gerald Johnson, Palm Bay Police Department – 1987, Officer Ronald Grogan, Palm Bay Police Department– 1987, Officer Philip Flagg, Satellite Beach Police Department – 1992, Sergeant Ernest Hartmann, Satellite Beach Police Department – 1992, Officer Stephen House, Titusville Police Department – 1989, Officer Jack Schnell, Titusville Police Department – 1982, Officer George Hanchley, Kennedy Space Center Security Police – 1986, Officer Charles Autry, Cocoa Beach Police Department – 1990, Lieutenant Roy Blake, Cocoa Police Department – 1954, Trooper Halley Strickland, FHP – 1954, Trooper Joseph Sawtell Jr. – 1966, Lieutenant Amos Cox, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office – 1965, Deputy Robert Nicol, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office – 1987, Deputy Ray Warner, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office – 1996, Sergeant Lucille Ross, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office – 2004, and Deputy Barbara Pill –2012.

We honor these Heroes along with their families who will forever be remembered for their sacrifices and support. Each of these officers were proud to put on their uniform each and every day to represent their profession, their families and most importantly their communities.

Memorials across the country are marked with the presence of the Honor Guard and the playing of Taps. Sullen and emotional expressions of gratitude and distinction by grateful communities.

I am especially moved by our incredible citizens who proudly support our efforts and stand with us in the protection of our communities.

Not a day goes by where members of our community don’t let me know how supportive and appreciative they are of the service and commitment of the brave men and women of their Law Enforcement Agencies.

It is a wonderful feeling to work with so many amazing Law Enforcement Officers who represent all of Brevard’s communities every day, doing everything they can to make it safe.

Please join me in recognizing those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the protection of Brevard County and across our great Nation.

And on behalf of all of Brevard’s public safety members and first responders, thank you for your continued support, it is truly our honor to serve you. As Law Enforcement Officers your appreciation and respect are the greatest tributes we could ever ask for.

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.