I have been a proud member of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and a resident of Brevard County for more than 21 years, though I have actually been in law enforcement for more than 25 years. Currently,
I hold the rank of lieutenant with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and have had the privilege to know
and work alongside some of Brevard County’s best
law enforcement officers in my two decades of service.
I was born in a small town in Alabama in 1963. My parents owned and operated their own small busi-
ness in Alabama for over 40 years - a business they started at age 19. I remember watching my dad work day and night to get the business started while farm-
ing on the side to help pay the bills. He was one of those people who never called in sick or complained about hard work. It was his exam-
ple that instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility and a powerful work ethic.
I grew up like most boys I knew, working long hours on the farm, hunting and fishing
when I had time. In high school, I remember working at the local restaurant on Satur-
day nights while my friends were out having a good time. And of course, you can’t be from Alabama and not spend long hours practicing and playing football. All of these experiences combined to infuse in me the importance of hard work and discipline.
After graduating high school, I attended Auburn University. Throughout my years at Auburn, I always had at least one, and sometimes two, part time jobs to help make
ends meet while I concentrated on my studies. As luck would have it, during my senior year the Montgomery Police Department was hiring, and my best friend had just joined
the year before. It was then that I decided I wanted a career in law enforcement, and I joined the force after graduation, setting the stage for some of the most challenging and rewarding times of my life.
I moved to Brevard County and joined the Sheriff’s Office in 1990. I have been proud to serve the citizens of Brevard County since then, and I look forward to bringing my brand of hard work and accountability to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. Just like my senior year at Auburn, I recognize a life-changing opportunity to serve my community – one that I cannot pass up.
My experience as a law enforcement officer has given me a firm belief that every American has the ability to make a contribution to the community at large. I have witnessed people overcome impossible odds to succeed and make their lives better through their own effort and sheer power of will. As a member of law enforcement, I believe that we should be good stewards of the interests of all the people and not just those of special interests, and I believe that government should respect individual rights and privacy. In addition, it is imperative that we in government also learn to live within our means and spend wisely the money entrusted to us by the citizens of this country.
The thing I am most proud of is my three children, Kaylee, Travis, and Tristan. Kaylee
is 11 and attends school in Melbourne Beach. Her interests lean toward music, and she
is learning to play the violin. Travis, 9, and Tristan, 5, also attend school in Mel-
bourne Beach and love sports. Travis recently decided to follow in his father's foot-
steps and began playing football in Satellite Beach. I think Tristan is going to be a professional surfer someday.
I am the only candidate whose experience was gained in the ranks of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, a fact that provides me special insight and the confidence to demand the best from each and every member of the Sheriff’s Office. In my two dec-
ades with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, I have been fortunate to have experienc-
ed a wide range of assignments and duties including patrol deputy, homicide investi-
gator, SWAT Team member, Hostage Negotiator Commander, Emergency Response Team Commander, sergeant in patrol and investigations, and patrol lieutenant. I cur-
rently lead over 170 members of our Special Operations Unit, which includes opera-
tional personnel, reserve deputies and volunteers. Each of these units has provided a unique opportunity to serve my community and prepare me for the office of Sheriff, and I am ready to put my experience to work for the citizens of Brevard County.
