Gov. Rick Scott Honors Three Brevard County Deputies With Medal of Heroism
By WAYNE IVEY, BREVARD SHERIFF // February 7, 2017
Deputy Robert Bennett * Deputy Benjamin Fischer * Deputy Jesse Doucette
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – I am very proud to announce that earlier today, during a meeting of the Florida Cabinet, Governor Rick Scott presented three Brevard County Deputies with the “Governor’s Medal of Heroism” for their brave actions in response to a Merritt Island house fire.
The following Deputies from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office were recognized with the Governor’s Medal of Heroism:
* Deputy Robert Bennett
* Deputy Benjamin Fischer
* Deputy Jesse Doucette
During the early morning hours of January 20, 2017, East Precinct Deputies Jesse Doucette, Ben Fischer and Rob Bennett responded to Lynne Dr. Merritt Island, reference a residential fire.
Deputy Doucette was the first to arrive and as he exited his patrol car heard bystanders yelling, “She’s still in there!” Deputy Doucette ran to the the home as the fire was quickly spreading and was able to see a female inside slumped over in a wheel chair.
Deputy Doucette entered the home by crawling through the heat and smoke, making his way to the unconscious victim. He then dragged her to safety from the burning home where he and Deputy Ben Fisher began lifesaving first aid efforts until fire rescue personnel arrived.
The female was then transported to a local hospital for further medical care.
While Deputy Doucette and Deputy Fisher were caring for the resident, Deputy Rob Bennett arrived on-scene and while looking for other occupants located a dog lying inside the home.
Deputy Bennett was able to crawl to the unconscious dog, drag it from the home and utilized an oxygen tank provided by fire rescue to provide aid until the dog started breathing again.
A second dog that exited the home on its own appeared to be uninjured. Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control responded to the scene and treated the pets for smoke inhalation.
The dogs were taken for safekeeping while the resident recovers.
Brevard County Fire Rescue personnel who responded to the scene stated there is no doubt that the quick actions of the Deputies saved the woman and her pets lives.
Deputy Doucette has proudly served our citizens for 3 years, Deputy Fischer 3 years and Deputy Bennett 6 years.
I am extremely proud of Deputies Doucette, Fischer and Bennett for their incredible service to our community!! Because of their professionalism and passion, a victim and her pet’s lives were saved!!
“Every day, our first responders put their lives at risk to protect our communities and families. I’d like to thank Deputies Doucette, Fischer and Bennett for their quick response and selfless actions to rescue a woman trapped in a house fire. It’s an honor to present them with the Medal of Heroism today,” said Governor Rick Scott.
Please join me in thanking everyone involved for their commitment and dedication to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and protecting our citizens!
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.
