Brevard County Sheriff's Office Deputy Michael Fultz resigned on May 27, 2026, following an internal investigation that found evidence of alleged misconduct, including racial slurs, a Nazi salute photo, and a gun in a sexual act. The sheriff's office confirmed the resignation but did not publicly detail the findings until this week, when investigative reporter Mike DeForest of WKMG News 6 obtained the internal affairs file.
Fultz was named Deputy of the Year in March 2025 and received a Medal of Valor for shooting and killing a suicidal man during a disturbance call in April 2025. The agency praised his actions in a tribute video, calling them 'courageous and restrained under life-threatening pressure.' However, the internal probe, initiated after Fultz's ex-girlfriend emailed the sheriff's office in March 2026 with allegations, found 'egregious misconduct' according to BCSO investigators.
The ex-girlfriend's email did not seek retaliation but aimed to alert the agency to behavior she believed violated departmental standards. While investigators could not verify all claims, the probe uncovered the alleged misconduct. Sheriff Wayne Ivey had prepared to fire Fultz but accepted his resignation instead. The internal affairs file, obtained by DeForest, details the findings but does not name the alleged victim of the sexual act or confirm the authenticity of the Nazi salute photo.
The case has sparked questions about the vetting process for high honors within the BCSO. Fultz was hired as a probationary deputy in September 2024 and promoted to full status in January 2025. His Medal of Valor ceremony took place just days before the ex-girlfriend's allegations were reported, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest. The sheriff's office has not commented publicly on the internal affairs findings, and no charges have been filed against Fultz.