In Memory: Executive Director Gary Perkins

The Florida Sheriffs Association this week honors the life and legacy of Gary E. Perkins, Executive Director of the Florida Sheriffs Association, who passed away on Thursday, January 21, 2010 in Tallahassee following a five-year battle with cancer. Perkins began working with the Florida Sheriffs Association in 1981, and was appointed executive director in 2002 after years of hard work. His vision and contributions helped the organization become the largest law-enforcement association in the nation.

 At the helm of the Florida Sheriffs Association, Mr. Perkins represented nearly 47,000 deputies across Florida's 67 counties. The association supports the needs of Florida's law-enforcement community by providing training, legal support and other services.

"Gary and I had a great relationship," said Tom Berlinger, special agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. "He was a quiet thinker with strong knowledge of how a business should operate. He always kept his eye forward to goals the organization was trying to reach." Berlinger remembered Gary as a quiet leader who was always cognizant of the direction he needed to go.

Baker County Sheriff Joey Dobson said Perkins was not only a colleague but also a dear friend of nearly 25 years. “He had outstanding character," Dobson said. "He had an attitude about this cancer that amazed all of us. He fought it hard and lived every day for the association."

Gary's vision and innovative thinking contributed to the growth of FSA's Honorary Membership program. He was equally dedicated to expanding the non-profit organization and assisting the Sheriffs' Offices around the state, launching discount buying programs for auto fleet, equipment and supplies that are hugely successful today. He was also highly instrumental in helping make FSA one of the largest and most successful law enforcement associations in the nation.

Born October 1, 1949 in Jacksonville, Florida, Gary attended North Florida Junior College in Madison and was in the first graduating class at the University of North Florida where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing in 1973. After working in Atlanta and Jacksonville for six years, Gary relocated to Tallahassee and joined the Florida Sheriffs Association in 1981. He was appointed Deputy Executive Director in 1992, and assumed the position of Executive Director in 2002. He also served as Vice Chairperson of the Executive Directors and Presidents Committee for the National Sheriffs’ Association.

Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Monday, January 25, 2010, at Faith Presbyterian, 2200 N. Meridian Road. A memorial service will be held at Faith Presbyterian at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 26, 2010. Bevis Funeral (850-385-2193) is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Florida Sheriffs Association Building Fund (P.O. Box 12519, Tallahassee, FL 32317).

Media contact:
Nanette Schimpf, APR
Moore Consulting Group
850-224-0174 work or 850-528-2639 cell