Deputy Spotlight: Lieutenant Robert Mealy
Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant and FDSA Board Member Robert Mealy, like other law enforcement officers, knows how dangerous his job is. Unfortunately, he knows because he’s experienced it first-hand.
In April of 2014, Mealy and fellow MCSO officers were in pursuit of a bank robbery suspect when the suspect opened fire, shooting and injuring Mealy. During the course of his career, Mealy had been involved in a number of dangerous situations, but this was the first time he had been shot at.
“It just showed me that you can do this job for years and years, and everything can seem very routine and mundane, but then, in the blink of an eye, things can happen,” Mealy said.
After moving to Florida 25 years ago, Mealy befriended a few MCSO deputies who eventually encouraged him to apply for a job with the Sheriff’s Office. Mealy was working for the Sunshine Biscuit company at the time, but with his father in the Marines and two uncles who were officers for the NYPD, a career in law enforcement was always something that had appealed to him. So he took his friends’ advice and applied. In March of 2016, he’ll celebrate 20 years serving the people of Manatee County.
Especially considering his wife of 27 years, their three children and two grandchildren, Mealy admits that the recent shooting has changed his perspective, but it hasn’t changed his commitment to being in law enforcement.
“I know that being a law enforcement officer is not for everyone, but I truly feel that for those of us who are, it’s a calling,” he said. “It’s not just a job that somebody does. You feel that you need to protect and speak for those who can’t protect themselves. It’s a very noble profession and a great career. I absolutely love being in law enforcement.”
Five years ago, Mealy was approached by his sheriff and then-FDSA Executive Director A. J. Smith and asked to join the FDSA Board. Mealy agreed, citing his belief in what FDSA does compared to national organizations.
“FDSA is tailored and specific to Florida deputies,” he said. “We know what Florida deputies need, we know the climate of what’s going on within the state of Florida. It’s very customized for Florida deputies.”
Mealy is proud to be an FDSA board member, and appreciates being able to take part in that customization process.
“I love being on the board; it’s an honor,” he said. “Sitting in a board meeting with the other members, a lot of whom are sheriffs, it’s very humbling. There is so much law enforcement experience and knowledge and wisdom in that room. It’s very refreshing to listen to everybody and to partake in those conversations, and to make positive things happen.”
