Earle L. Petty Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Love of Country, Family, Integrity, and the Flag….these are a few things that summed-up Earle L. Petty, Jr.
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Earle was famous for his one-liners, which include, “Keep your powder dry” – “If you see me and a Bear in a fight, trip me, and help the Bear” – “I’ve been up where the birds don’t fly and down where the fish don’t swim”.
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After serving 23 years in the United States Army as a Green Beret in Special Forces, Earle began his career in law enforcement working for the City of Melbourne as a patrol officer. From there, he went to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office where he held positions as Jail Commander and South Precinct Commander, working for the citizens of Brevard County.
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His career in law enforcement spanned over 30 years before his retirement in 2008. Earle cared deeply for the men and women who worked for him on a daily basis. He cared about their families, their home life, and their safety. He was a true leader in every sense of the word, always putting them first.
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Earle passed away in 2015 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. This scholarship is dedicated to his memory and to the next generation of law enforcement officers in Brevard County.
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“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of his actions and the integrity of his intent. In the end, leaders are much like eagles…they don’t flock, you find them one at a time.” – Anonymous
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If you would like to contribute to the Earle L. Petty Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund you may donate online at: https://www.efscfoundation.org and notate in the comments the name of the scholarship. You may also mail a check to: EFSC Foundation, 3865 N Wickham Rd., Melbourne, FL 32935.