Abigayle Atwell joined the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Fleet Maintenance Team on March 12, 2026, becoming the first woman in the agency’s history to hold the title of automotive technician. The appointment was announced by Sheriff Wayne Ivey, who called Atwell’s hiring a milestone for the department. Atwell graduated from Mech-Tech Institute in 2025 and now works under Fleet Director Tommy Branam, who presented her with a certificate recognizing her role in BCSO history.
Atwell’s role involves maintaining the 500+ vehicles used by the sheriff’s office, including patrol cars, transport vans, and specialty units. Branam said her hiring follows a department-wide effort to diversify the workforce. 'We’ve had 12 new hires in maintenance roles since 2024, but none were female until now,' Branam said in an interview.
The sheriff’s office employs 1,200 full-time deputies and 200 support staff across Brevard County. Fleet maintenance costs alone exceed $3 million annually, according to public records. Atwell’s background includes internships with local auto shops and coursework in hybrid vehicle systems.
Sheriff Ivey wrote in a statement that Atwell’s hiring 'reflects our commitment to inclusivity and excellence.' He noted her work will help ensure deputies have reliable vehicles as they patrol the 2,100 square miles of Brevard County. Atwell is based at the sheriff’s office headquarters in Cocoa, where she splits her time between preventive maintenance and emergency repairs.
The hiring comes as the sheriff’s office faces pressure to modernize operations. Last month, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced $50 million in state funding for law enforcement technology upgrades. Branam said Atwell’s technical skills will be critical as the fleet transitions to electric vehicles over the next five years.