Kevin Beary

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Kevin Beary is currently serving his fourth term as the elected Sheriff of Orange County, Florida, USA where he is responsible for leading one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the Southeastern United States, officially known as the Orange County Sheriff's Office. His educational background includes a bachelor's degree from Liberty University and a master's degree in criminal justice from the University of Central Florida. He is the son of former Winter Park, Florida Police Chief Ray Beary, and the brother of Lake Mary, Florida Police Chief Richard Beary.

Sheriff Beary has received numerous awards for his dedicated service to his community and profession. In June 2003, he was named Sheriff of the Year by the National Sheriffs’ Association. In 2002 he received the Professional Achievement Award from the University of Central Florida. In 2001 he was honored with the Hispanic Community Award and in 2000 received the Police Athletic League Award. He is also the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award from the Central Florida chapter of the Boy Scouts of America. In 1996 he was recognized by the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Officers and the National Rifle Association chose him as their Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

Sheriff Beary was appointed by (former) Governor Jeb Bush to co-chair the Florida Domestic Security Task Force (Region V) on terrorism. He has also been asked to serve on the FBI’s Executive Advisory Team for Homeland Security. Sheriff Beary is past president of the Major County Sheriff’s Association, Central Florida Criminal Justice Association and the Florida SWAT Association. He currently serves on the D.A.R.E. America Operations Advisory Committee and is past chairman of the National Police Board of G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training). Sheriff Beary has been selected by the American Society for Industrial Security as a member of the Society’s International Standing Council on Global Terrorism.

In 2005, Beary was the subject of accusations of corruption by a local television news station, which resulted in an audit of homeland security spending by his department.^[1] Beary was later cleared of any wrongdoing by a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation.^[2]