Florida Sheriffs Association

News & Events

"Sheriff of Florida" Buddy Phillips Dies

The Florida Sheriffs Association is mourning the loss of J. M. "Buddy" Phillips Jr., known fondly as the "Sheriff of Florida," who died early Tuesday, June 10, in Tallahassee. Buddy served as Executive Director of the Florida Sheriffs Association for 14 years, where he built membership and additional support for our sister organization, the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches. During his tenure, he also established a permanent memorial on the grounds of FSA headquarters dedicated to the men and women of Sheriffs' Offices who died in the line of duty and published the History of the Florida Sheriffs, a book series reaching back into the Office of Sheriff beginning in the 1800s.

Association Office Burns

A fire started at the Florida Sheriffs Association offices in Tallahassee early Tuesday morning, April 15. The building is a total loss. Please continue to keep the staff members in your prayers. Updates will be forthcoming.

We have limited telephone access and recently had e-mail restored...but lost a great deal of data. If you did not receive a reply, please try again.

Thank you for your patience.

Corporal Freeman Named Correctional Officer of the Year

At the Florida Sheriffs Association's 2007 Mid-Winter conference, the Sheriffs honored Brevard County Corporal Kimberly Freeman by naming her the 2007 Correctional Officer of the Year. Corporal Freeman was placed in a deadly force situation where she had to make a split second decision. Incredibly, she chose to put herself in harm's way to protect a fellow corrections officer.

Detective Brian Hester Wins Deputy Sheriff of the Year

Past winners of the Deputy Sheriff of the Year have been recognized for everything from wrestling victims away from dangerous criminals to surviving a shootout and bringing the culprits to justice. This year's winner captured the Florida Sheriffs' attention through his behind-the-scenes work. St. Lucie County Sheriff's Detective Brian Hester helped dismantle a powerful and dangerous street gang responsible for several homicides, numerous shootings, robberies and a significant level of narcotic trafficking.

Rise In Teen Fatalities Are A Concern for Sheriffs

Did you know that in the United States, traffic crashes occur every 12 seconds?In fact, you are more likely to be killed in an automobile crash than in any other way.And vehicular crashes are now the No. 1 cause of death among young adults.The Florida Sheriffs are working to change that...by creating a new statewide driving program that challenges young adults to improve their driving:The Teen Driver Challenge.

Sheriff Plans Rescue of Stranded Deputy Following Hurricane

Many of us in Florida have felt the anxiety of knowing that a family member is in the eye of a hurricane. Some of us have even provided refuge to relatives, as they sought to get out of harm's way. But what if you knew that family member had survived Hurricane Katrina, only to become caught up in the chaos that followed? That is, stranded at the New Orleans Convention Center, going for days without food and water, and having their personal safety at risk?

Manatee County Sheriff Charlie Wells knows how it feels.

Pasco Sheriff's Office Expands Project Childsafe

Pasco Sheriff's Office Child Protective Investigators who are tasked with investigating child-abuse allegations will have another tool to keep children safe.The Sheriff's Office has started distributing 2,000 ChildSafe gunlock safety kits, doubling the number of gunlocks distributed in 2004.