Orange County Sheriff John Mina and his team were the gracious hosts of the Sheriffs 2024 Summer Conference in Orlando, Florida. Florida’s sheriffs, their staffs and representatives from the state’s top law-enforcement agencies came together to share best practices, receive important legal and legislative updates and recognize outstanding achievements.

The Sheriffs Summer Conference is one of three popular conferences held each year by the Florida Sheriffs Association. The conferences give the sheriffs, staff, office personnel, law enforcement agency officials, sponsors, partners, exhibitors, elected officials and guests opportunities for continuing education, association news, law enforcement updates, networking and recognition. If you were unable to attend, here is a quick recap of what you missed at the Sheriffs 2024 Summer Conference.

Education and Training

The conference agenda was packed with continuing education sessions, legislative and legal updates, thought-pro¬voking presentations from featured speakers and the latest in law enforcement innovations from exhibitors and sponsors.

Featured presenters and guests included national leaders U.S. Senator Rick Scott, Congresswoman Kat Cammack and National Sheriffs Association Chief Law Enforcement Advisor Mitch Cunningham. Attendees also learned from Florida leaders Governor Ron DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Former Speaker of the House and Honorary Sheriff Chris Sprowls and various sheriffs from throughout the state.

Highlights and Awards

Highlights included a $150,000 donation from FSA to the Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association to support the Lend a Hand Fund and a $230,000 donation to the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches. These annual donations will make a direct difference to deputies and their families during their time of need and help develop young men and women who are able to face the future with a sense of direction, ability and hope.

It was touching to learn the stories of our annual award winners. Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office colleagues Sergeant Jake Viano and Corporal Matt Aitken were named the 2024 Law Enforcement Officers of the Year to commend their service, bravery and honor in the line of duty. They had no idea responding to a burglary call would end with actions of exceptional courage. The award is sponsored by FirstNet, and the video featuring their story of heroism can be viewed here.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Officer (ACO) Jennifer Miller was recognized as the 2024 Civilian of the Year for her exemplary service above self. ACO Miller’s favorite part of her job is rescuing animals, which prepared her to be calm when she came upon three teenagers trapped inside an overturned vehicle in approximately three feet of water. The award is sponsored by the Florida Sheriffs Risk Management Fund, and ACO Miller’s video can be viewed here.

Four Florida agencies were formally recognized by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) as achieving accredited status. There were approximately 240 standards that contained multiple requirements for assessment by an outside team of certified assessors from CFA.

After a thorough formal review, which consisted of a complex evaluation of documentation, policies and interviews with key agency personnel and observations of facilities and equipment, Levy, Dixie, Jackson and Okeechobee County Sheriffs’ Offices was recommended for full law enforcement accreditation.

Four Accreditation Team Members were also recognized. For his efforts assisting Florida sheriffs’ offices earn their accreditation, FSA Accreditation Coordinator Billy Walls was recognized with the Sheriff Neil J. Perry Service Award. Sergeant Michael O’Brien, Accreditation Manager for the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Department of Detention, was recognized as the Accreditation Manager of the Year. Clay County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Cody Whiddon was awarded Accreditation Team Leader of the Year for the quality and consistency of his work.

For the fourth time, the Florida Police Accreditation Coalition (FPAC) recognized FSA Accreditation Coordinator Juli Brown with the designation of Certified Accreditation Professional (CAP), noting her demonstration of advanced knowledge, expertise and successful guidance of the agency.

New Board Leadership

Outgoing FSA President and Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper has shown exceptional leadership. Thank you for your service and for how you have represented FSA at the local, state and national levels.

New leaders were installed at our recent Sheriffs 2024 Summer Conference, and we look forward to working with these dedicated volunteers who will lead the largest organization of its kind in North America.

2024 – 2025 FSA Board

• President: Sheriff Bill Prummell, Charlotte County
• Vice President: Sheriff Dennis Lemma, Seminole County
• Secretary: Sheriff Billy Woods, Marion County
• Treasurer: Sheriff Rick Staly, Flagler County
• Immediate Past President: Sheriff Bill Leeper, Nassau County
• Chair: Sheriff Mike Prendergast, Citrus County
• Vice-Chair: Sheriff Gator DeLoach, Putnam County

Sponsors

Attendees also had the opportunity to meet with vendors and FSA partners who provide vital products and services to law enforcement across the state. The 2024 Diamond Annual Partners were Axon, BusPatrol, Critical Response Group, FirstNet, Inspired Technologies, L3Harris, Loyalty Credit Union, Nationwide Retirement Solutions Inc. and Prime Corrections, and we are grateful for their ongoing support.

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