FLORIDA SHERIFFS & DEPUTY SHERIFFS

HONORING THE FALLEN, WELCOMING NEW LEADERSHIP BY MATT DUNAGAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FLORIDA SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION The Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) had a meaningful and productive spring, highlighted by two events that reflect the heart of our mission: honoring those who serve and ensuring strong leadership for the year ahead. Most significantly, the FSA held its annual memorial ceremony at our Tallahassee headquarters, adding 11 heroes to our Memorial Wall. This solemn occasion offered sheriffs, staff, and families the opportunity to pause, remember, and pay tribute to the men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty in service to their communities. Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez delivered the keynote address, reminding the families of our fallen deputies that their loved ones are not forgotten, and that their legacy endures in every life they touched and every community they protected. We are grateful to the sheriffs who attended and to the FSA staff who ensured the families felt supported and honored throughout their time on our campus. The memorial ceremony stands as a powerful reminder that we must never forget those who gave everything to keep Florida safe. The FSA also held a successful Sheriffs 2026 Summer Conference, during which we installed our new officers and Board of Directors. We extend our sincere gratitude to Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma for his outstanding leadership and dedicated service as president this past year. We are pleased to welcome Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods as the 104th president of the Florida Sheriffs Association and look forward to his vision and guidance over the next 12 months. During the Tuesday evening banquet, we were also proud to recognize our Civilian of the Year and Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. As always, the Florida Sheriffs Association remains committed to supporting our sheriffs, honoring our heroes, and working together to protect every community across the Sunshine State. STRENGTHENING THE PROFESSION, SUPPORTING THE FUTURE BY KEITH DEAN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FLORIDA DEPUTY SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION The Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association (FDSA) continues to invest in initiatives that strengthen law enforcement while supporting the deputies and families who serve Florida’s communities. One of our most significant accomplishments this year was the continued success of the Florida Law Enforcement and Tactical Operations Conference and Expo. The event brought together deputies, corrections officers, tactical operators, and law enforcement leaders from across the state for advanced training, professional development, and collaboration. It remains a premier opportunity to learn from nationally recognized instructors, explore emerging technologies, and prepare for the challenges facing modern law enforcement. “A Tactical Pause,” FDSA’s leadership and wellness podcast, has also seen significant growth. Through conversations with sheriffs, public safety leaders, and subject-matter experts, the podcast explores leadership, resilience, officer wellness, financial preparedness, and the future of the profession. Since its launch, it has become a valuable resource that extends FDSA’s mission beyond the classroom with practical insights for those who wear the badge. We also expanded our commitment to member well-being by including financial wellness through the FDSA Credit Union. By partnering with OnPath Credit Union, we are helping deputies and their families access financial education, affordable banking, lending solutions, and financial planning resources. This initiative reflects our belief that supporting them means helping them build financial stability throughout their careers and into retirement. More than 600 deputies are already participating in this program. The Law Enforcement Apprenticeship Program (LEAP) continues to create opportunities for the next generation of law enforcement professionals. By helping recruits earn while they learn, LEAP reduces barriers to entering the profession while building a stronger pipeline of qualified candidates. Thanks to Florida Senate President Ben Albritton and our legislative partners, the Legislature has approved $5 million in funding. Together, these initiatives reflect FDSA’s commitment to supporting deputies at every stage of their professional journey through training, wellness, financial security, and workforce development.

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