Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Mourns Loss of 47-Year-Old ‘Chip’
By Space Coast Daily // May 5, 2023
Message from Sheriff Wayne Ivey
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Yesterday morning “Chip” one of the founding team members of our BCSO Volunteer Mounted Posse Unit, passed away at his home in Grant, Florida with his partner Retired Reserve Sgt., Rick Schmidt by his side.
“Chip” and Rick were the founding members of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Volunteer Mounted Posse Unit that was started in 2014 shortly after I became Sheriff.
We started the Volunteer Mounted Posse Unit at no cost to the taxpayers so that they could assist our agency with various tasks, such as search and rescue, crowd control, parades, and even to honor our fallen, during memorial services!!
“Chip” and Rick were the lead members of the unit and facilitated the majority of the training and drills for the team, so they would be prepared to assist in any capacity.
From 2014 until 2020 when Rick and his partner “Chip” retired from the unit, they could often be seen leading our Mounted Posse in parades, at demonstrations, during community events, and even patrolling shopping centers during the holidays. “Chip’s” two favorite things in life were meeting the kids and trying to steal their lollipops as they lined the streets and parking lots to pet him. Chip also enjoyed playing kickball at various events with the kids and would occasionally, when on patrol in parking lots, find a drive thru window to stick his head in for some treats.
Chip passed away at the age of 47 years old after having lived an incredible life of service and dedication to his partner and friend Rick!!
“Chip” will be deeply missed by all of us and we ask that you keep Rick and his family in your thoughts and prayers as they say good bye to an old and dear friend and partner!!
– Sheriff Wayne Ivey
