SPACE COAST DAILY TV: Exclusive Live Interview With Space Coast Daily Person of the Year Wayne Ivey

LIVE INTERVIEW BEGINS 9:30 a.m. Tuesday

ABOVE VIDEO: Don’t miss Space Coast Daily TV’s exclusive live interview with Space Coast Daily Person of the Year Wayne Ivey.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey has been selected as Space Coast Daily’s 2016 Person of the Year for his exceptional vision, leadership and courage – not to mention his energy and endurance – as he made multiple public appearances almost daily in supporting many worthy causes and promoting the wellbeing of every man, woman, child and animal in his care.

Sheriff Ivey started the year by producing a viral video which educated and reassured a fearful nation after the brutal terrorist attacks in France and then in San Bernardino, California where 14 people were killed and 21 others injured. After posting this video, which featured a powerful and popular message, it immediately went viral with more than 8 million views.

Sheriff Ivey then put Brevard County in the national spotlight as he appeared on Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends with Brian Kilmeade and said:

“If you are a person who is legally licensed to carry a firearm, now is the time, more than ever, to realize that you, and you alone, may very well be the first line of defense for you, your family and others around you in a terrorist or active shooter scenario.

It’s time for politicians and Law Enforcement Leaders to stop being politically correct and be bold, patriotic and aggressive in protecting our country, and it’s time to say what needs to be said in order to do what needs to be done.

So let there be no mistake in what I am about to say…the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun! If you are a person who is legally licensed to carry a firearm, now is the time more than ever to realize that you and you alone may very well be the first line of defense for you, your family, and others around you in a terrorist or active shooter based scenario.

I have always had absolute faith in our citizens to partner with us to help protect our community and I want our citizens to always be alert and vigilant.

However, let me be very clear in saying that this is much deeper, this is about being able to defend and survive an attack by armed evil people until the Calvary can arrive!

I am no way suggesting that we as citizens take on a vigilante role, what I am saying is that we need to be mentally and physically prepared to respond to an attack so we can effectively defend and protect ourselves in an emergency.

Our communities are blessed with many military veterans and other incredible citizen heroes who are willing and ready to stand up and say enough is enough and this will not happen on my watch. Together, we can make a difference! Evil people look to take advantage of weakness but one good person at the right place and time will make the difference.”

ABOVE VIDEO: Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey appears on Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends with Brian Kilmeade. (Fox News Video)

NO KILL COMMUNITY

When the Sheriff’s office assumed responsibility for Brevard County Animal Services on October 1, 2014, the average live release rate for Brevard County Animal Services was 55 percent over the previous five years.

After just two years, Sheriff Ivey announced that Brevard County Animal Services has officially reached the status as a “No Kill Community.”

The live release rate for FY16 was 94.86 percent, with 14 of the last 15 months exceeding 90 percent. Sheriff Ivey also announced a new partnership with the SPCA of North Brevard and the closing of the North Animal Care Center.

As usual, the sheriff gave his hard-working staff all the credit.

“We would like to thank all of our rescue and community partners as well as our volunteers for helping us prove that dreams do come true,” said Sheriff Ivey.

“We would also like to recognize the Pet Posse, the Boniface Heir’s Motor Group, Community Champions, the Upton Foundation, the Bayfront 5K9 event, and too many others to list for their support. We could not have done it without you.”

Sheriff Ivey also said that, although achieving recognition as a no kill community is a significant milestone, saying:

“We view no kill status as not a destination or a onetime designation, rather it is a continued journey that together with their community partners they will maintain.

“Although Animal welfare is still new to the Sheriff’s Office, we continue to learn each and every day. In light of what this team has already accomplished, we are more confident than ever that we will reach and maintain our goal of being a No Kill Community here in Brevard County.”

COURAGE OF CONVICTIONS

As a man of high integrity, and uncompromising conviction when it comes to protecting the citizens of the county and the country, Sheriff Ivey was a vocal proponent for now president-Elect Donald Trump.

The sheriff delivered a rousing speech in support of the Republican Presidential nominee prior to Trump’s appearance at the Melbourne airport rally last September.

After the very passionate address to the more than 10,000 in attendance, Sheriff Ivey received thunderous applause from the adoring crowd, adulation that would equal Trump’s. For Sheriff Ivey’s courage of conviction, he was criticized in the local media for standing up for his beliefs, and in uniform no less, even though as an elected official he had every right to do so.

As one of Florida’s leading law enforcement experts, Sheriff Ivey served as the moderator during an important law enforcement roundtable with Trump.

“I was extremely proud to serve as the moderator for a panel discussion with Public Safety Officers from around the state of Florida and Presidential candidate Donald Trump,” said Sheriff Ivey.

“The discussion was an outstanding opportunity to bring some of Florida’s most impacting crime and public safety related topics to the forefront in an effort to ensure that our citizens and first responders are protected.

“I personally believe that government’s one and only responsibility is the protection of it’s citizens. It was refreshing to hear from a candidate that not only stands shoulder to shoulder with those who protect our communities and citizens, but who is also not afraid to stand tough against crime.”

ABOVE VIDEO: The Republican Party of Brevard opened their Central Brevard Donald J. Trump presidential campaign office and Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey was on had to address the crowd.

BREVARD’S LEADING PHILANTHROPIST

If there was a charity event in Brevard County, Sheriff Ivey was probably there. His fundraising efforts are nothing short of amazing.

He has supported non-profit organization fundraising efforts by co-hosting, emceeing, facilitating live auctions and hosting events, which have raised more than $4 million.

Sheriff Ivey is committed to making Brevard County an extraordinary place for everyone to live and raise their families, and this year alone, he has been involved in many charity events to help raise money, be their auctioneer or just attend to show his support for these amazing organizations.

‘DEFENDER OF FREEDOM’

Sheriff Ivey received one of the National Rifle Association’s highest honors for his tireless efforts to defend liberty, while protecting our Constitutional Rights.

The “Defender of Freedom” Award recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves in preserving and protecting the rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and in the service of freedom for our citizens.

DECREASED CRIME RATE

Over the past four years, Brevard’s reported crime rate has decreased to record low levels.

“This in part is a direct result of arming our citizens with the information they need to protect themselves and by partnering with them so that they can help us protect our communities,” said Sheriff Ivey.

Some of the programs and initiatives Sheriff Ivey has implemented include:

• Created a county-wide Crime Prevention Task Force. Implemented the first ever multi-agency partnership in the country designed to work collaboratively on crime prevention initiatives in an effort to reduce crime throughout Brevard County.

• Designed, developed and presented “Time to Be a Parent Again,” a program that strikes at the heart of lowering the crime rate by empowering parents to hold their children accountable for their actions. By lowering juvenile crime we ultimately lower the crime rate for decades to come.

• Designed, developed and presented “Self Defense through Tactical Shooting and Decision Making,” a unique program that teaches citizens how to protect themselves by awareness and education on handling techniques and the legalities of self-defense.

• The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office was recognized by the Military Times during the years he has been in office as “Best for Vets.” When scoring Best for Vets, law enforcement agencies across the country were evaluated for their efforts to connect with veterans and provide an environment for success.

Sheriff Ivey promotes an ethic of kindness and impartiality to all, and is committed to the principles of community service and giving back to help others.

It is obvious that what he does is not merely a job, but a calling and a passion. On behalf of all Brevard County citizens, Space Coast Daily salutes your inspiring leadership.

ABOVE VIDEO: Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey talks about the importance of law enforcement agencies and citizens to work together.

ABOUT BREVARD COUNTY SHERIFF WAYNE IVEY:

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.

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