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PROCLAMATION
<br />HONORING LEROY SMITH ON HIS RETIREMENT
<br />EFFECTIVE MARCH 14, 2014
<br />E1+IERGF,UCY i-Y-BADA�
<br />50.
<br />WHEREAS, Leroy began his career in June, 1986 as a Correctional Officer for the Indian River Correctional Institute; and
<br />WHEREAS, in 1987, Leroy became a deputy in the Uniform Patrol Division at the Indian River County Sheriffs Office. In
<br />1989 he was named Officer of the Year by the Vero Beach Optimist Club, and in 1990 earned the same title by the International
<br />Optimist Club; and
<br />WHEREAS, In 1990, Leroy became a Detective and worked in the Special Investigations Unity and quickly rose through the
<br />ranks while coaching youth football for the Vero Beach Recreation Department where he coached for nearly 18 years; and
<br />WHEREAS, in 1992, Leroy was chosen to work with the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to help eradicate drugs in
<br />Indian River County, in 1992, he was awarded the Certificate of Merit from Sheriff Tim Dobeck for Service Beyond the Call of Duty; and
<br />WHEREAS, in 1993, Leroy was promoted to rank of Sergeant, making him the first black law enforcement officer to hold rank
<br />of Sergeant in the history of the Indian River County Sheriffs Office and was selected to research Community Oriented Police
<br />Enforcement (COPE). In 1994, COPE was established and Leroy was awarded the Exceptional Service Award for his efforts. COPE is
<br />currently utilized in the Indian River County Sheriffs Office; and
<br />WHEREAS, in 1996, Leroy graduated from the Southern Police Institute's Command Officer Development Program; and
<br />WHEREAS, in 1998, Leroy formed the Serious Habitual Offenders for Comprehensive Action Program (SHOCAP) to bridge
<br />the gap between the residents of Gifford and the Sheriffs office. He served on the Board of Directors for the Gifford Youth Activity
<br />Center, Board of Directors for the Substance Abuse Council of Indian River County, and the Board of Directors for the United Way and
<br />The Hibiscus Children's Center; and
<br />WHEREAS, Leroy wrote the charter for the Gifford Central Little League Baseball Program and began Family Fun Day,
<br />Midnight Basketball, a Self -Defense Class for Women and a Martial Arts program for young black children in Gifford. In 1995, he
<br />received the Award for Life Saving and Grand Cordon; and
<br />WHEREAS, in 2001, Leroy was promoted to Lieutenant in the Uniform Patrol, still the highest ranking black law enforcement
<br />Jfficer in the history of the agency. Leroy was appointed to the rank of1st Lieutenant and directed the Multi -Agency Criminal
<br />Enforcement Unit (MACE) where he worked with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE and the Federal Drug
<br />Enforcement Agency (DEA) controlling drug trafficking in Indian River County; and
<br />WHEREAS, in 2004, Leroy graduated from Barry University with a 3.6 GPA with a Bachelor of Science in Professional
<br />Administration. In 2004, Leroy was transferred to the Criminal Investigations Division where he worked tirelessly solving criminal
<br />activity against the residents of Indian River County; and
<br />WHEREAS, in 2009, Leroy was promoted to Administrative Lieutenant for the Uniform Operations Division where he
<br />implemented the Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Program and a was tasked with a multitude of other administrative duties to include
<br />managing the Traffic Unit, School Resource Unit, Crime Prevention Unit, School Crossing Guards, Community Services Unit
<br />(Volunteers), the Canine Unit and the Field Training Officer Program. In 2011, Leroy was transferred to the Sheriffs Administration
<br />Division assigned to the Internal Affairs Section where he completed high profile cases.
<br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY,
<br />FLORIDA, that the Board applauds Leroy Smith's efforts on behalf of the County, and the Board wishes to express their appreciation
<br />for the 27.9 years of dedicated service he has given to Indian River County.
<br />Duly adopted this 181h day of March, 2014
<br />BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
<br />INBt*tI RU/ER BOUNTY, 'L,PRIDA
<br />Bob Solari
<br />Tim Zorc
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