Michael Fultz, 24, resigned from the Brevard County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) days after an internal probe into allegations of misconduct, including filming himself with a service handgun near his ex-girlfriend's mouth, using racial slurs, and performing a Nazi salute. Fultz, who was named Deputy of the Year in March 2026 for shooting and killing Tyler Patterson during a suicide intervention, handed in his resignation after an investigation into his actions got underway. He said in a statement he would 'always be grateful' to the sheriff's office for 'giving me the opportunity' to become a deputy, but acknowledged his actions had caused 'embarrassment and negative attention.'
The incidents include a traffic stop in October where Fultz was clocked at 111 mph on U.S. 192 near Melbourne by Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Joshua Provencher. Instead of being arrested under Florida's 'Super Speeder' law, Fultz received a $155 civil citation for speeding 11 mph over the limit. He also allegedly made 'inappropriate' video calls in uniform from a patrol car and used the Flock surveillance network to stalk a woman. BCSO confirmed an internal investigation into his 'egregious misconduct' was ongoing but did not comment further.
Fultz's rapid fall from grace began six months after his Deputy of the Year award. The ceremony celebrated his role in killing Patterson, a suicidal man with a knife. Six weeks later, he was resigning. According to media reports, Fultz was frequently pulled over by other agencies but did not report these incidents to BCSO. His actions have raised questions about how problematic officers evade accountability. Other drivers in Brevard County who speed face harsher penalties, including jail time and public shaming by the sheriff's office.
Fultz's resignation comes as BCSO faces scrutiny over its handling of internal discipline. The department has not released details about the investigation or whether Fultz will face charges. His case highlights tensions between law enforcement accountability and the discretion of agencies in handling misconduct. Local residents have expressed frustration over the disparity in how officers and civilians are treated for similar offenses.