Deputy First Class Champion Appointed Vice President of Florida Sheriff’s Explorers Association
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Explorers attended the Florida Sheriff’s Explorers Association 2024 Summer State Conference in Orlando. Over the six-day event, Explorers competed against Explorers Posts from other counties across the state and took home several team and individual awards.
Explorers competed in various scenario-based competitions, which were judged by deputies from Sheriff’s Offices across the state. The FCSO Explorers team placed first in the High-Risk Traffic Stop and Officer Down competitions, second in the Active Threat competition, and third in the Crime Scene Investigation and Traffic Stop competitions. Explorers also competed in the Firearms competition with Explorer Arjay Shaw placing first in the sharpshooter classification and Explorer Leland Salazar placing first in the tyro (i.e., novice) classification.
During the banquet on the event’s final night, multiple FCSO Explorers were awarded scholarships by the FSEA. Explorer Sergeant Damaris Ferreiro received the FSEA Academic Scholarship. Explorer Salazar received the Deputy Krystal Carpenter Memorial Scholarship, awarded in memory of Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Krystal Carpenter, who served as MCSO’s Explorers advisor until her death in 2022.
Additionally, FCSO Deputy First Class Nicholas Champion, who serves as the agency’s senior post advisor, was selected as the 2024 Northern Regional Advisor of the Year. DFC Champion was also appointed to the position of FSEA vice president. He had previously served on FSEA’s executive board since 2022 as assistant range master and as chair of the Training Advisor Committee since 2023.
Explorers and advisors from across Florida meet yearly in June for the FSEA Summer State Conference and quarterly at FSEA Delegates meetings each March, September, and December. To learn more about the FSEA, visit www.sheriffexplorers.com.
“Congratulations to everyone from our Explorers team who represented our county and the Sheriff’s Office incredibly well, and thank you to our excellent group of Deputy Sheriffs who mentor them,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “I began my career as an Explorer — back then known as the Youth Deputies — in Seminole County and it was a very worthwhile experience that kickstarted my passion for law enforcement. I highly encourage any Flagler County student who has an interest in the law enforcement field to consider our Explorers program and learn more about law enforcement.”
The FCSO Explorers program, Explorers Post 410, was established in 1986 to expose 14- to 18-year-old high school students in Flagler County to a career path in law enforcement. Explorers who successfully complete the program and wish to join FCSO after graduation from high school can receive a scholarship to attend the basic law enforcement or correctional officer academy. They also can join the agency in non-sworn positions such as CCTV operator, 9-1-1 operator, or crime scene investigator, among many other opportunities.
If you or someone you know is interested in joining the FCSO Explorers program, please visit www.flaglersheriff.com/public-interest/explorers.
