Commander J.D. Donn To Be Honored With Jake Miller Public Safety Member of the Year Award
By Space Coast Daily // September 17, 2017
award is given in memory, honor of Sheriff Miller
Space Coast Public Service Awards & Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Set Saturday at King Center
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Commander James “J.D.” Donn will be honored with the Claude “Jake” Miller Public Safety Member of the Year Award during the second annual Space Coast Public Service Awards & Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, set for Saturday, September 23, at the Maxwell C. King Center For the Performing Arts.
The Claude “Jake” Miller Public Safety Member of the Year Award was created to recognize a Public Safety member who has made outstanding contributions to Public Safety/Community Service and the organization.
The award is given in memory and honor of Sheriff Miller who served in law enforcement for five decades and Sheriff of Brevard County for 17 years.
The Public Service Public Safety Member of the Year recognizes public service professionals who have dedicated years of service during a distinguished career where they significantly advanced the public safety profession, have shown unusual initiative, dedication and imagination in the performance of their duties, and by substantial service, furthered the cause of justice and the mission of public safety.
Commander Donn has been a law enforcement officer for 45 years. Each assignment or promotional opportunity resulted in Donn assuming a leadership position, where his vision and innovation became the catalyst for improvement, refinement, and excellence.
Hundreds of Brevard County Sheriff’s Office personnel have been mentored and developed by Donn, with many assuming positions of leadership in not only the BCSO, but in numerous other agencies.
Before joining the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office in 1981, Donn was an Officer with the Titusville Police Department. He quickly distinguished himself as an excellent investigator and leader.
In 1976 he was recognized by the City of Titusville as their Officer of the Year, and was also named the American Legion Police Officer of the Year.
(Story continued below)
Related Story:Space Coast Public Service Awards Recognizes Jake Miller With Lifetime Achievement Award
After joining the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Donn was quickly moved to narcotics investigations where his investigative skill and leadership were indispensable during the scourge of the crack cocaine epidemic that swept the nation during the 1980s and 1990s.
He has served in the Staff Services Unit, or what other agencies might call Internal Investigations, of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office since 2009.
Donn is frequently called upon by agencies across the state for his knowledge and expertise to help with establishing training guidelines, or law enforcement standards.
His personnel file is filled with letters of praise and commendation for the decades he has spent donating his time, energy, and money to causes and charities throughout our community.
Donn is obviously a man of great character and integrity, and universally greeted with love, respect and admiration everywhere he goes.
Having helped shape the legacy of Sheriff Jake Miller, and knowing Jake considered him a true and valued friend, there is no doubt Jake would be pleased to see his friend and revered member of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office presented with the prestigious Claude “Jake” Miller Public Safety Member of the Year Award.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Space Coast Daily is very proud to sponsor and produce the annual Space Coast Public Service Awards and Hall of Fame Induction, which this year will be held Saturday, September 23 at the King Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne. With all the seemingly endless politically-charged negative rhetoric in the media aimed at our first responders, we felt it was time as a media entity to make a statement and give these men and women the respect and support they deserve. The public is invited and encouraged to attend this compelling event where all proceeds will benefit the Brevard County Public Safety Charity.
Seating for this celebration of these outstanding public servants is now available, so don’t delay in making your reservation. The festivities will include a meet-and-greet with our outstanding public servants, food and drink, and the induction proceeding – which will feature compelling video tributes.
All proceeds of this event will go to the Brevard County Public Safety Charity which benefits our law enforcement officers and firefighters in their time of need. These funds will help our public safety members when they face critical challenges such as medical emergencies, long term illness or even the tragedy of a line of duty death. This charity organization is designed to help protect those that protect us.
For additional information about the Brevard County Public Safety Charity, please contact Sue Parker at Sue.Parker@BCSO.us.
– Tom Palermo, Space Coast Daily President & Publisher
