INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers was sworn in this week as chairman of the Board of Directors for the Florida Sheriffs Association during the group’s 2026 Summer Conference.
Flowers, who served as vice chairman last year, was elected by his fellow sheriffs. He was among 60 of the state’s 67 sheriffs who attended the gathering, hosted by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.
“It’s an honor to be part of the leadership team at the Florida Sheriff’s Association. We come together as a group to improve the lives and safety of the citizens of the great state of Florida,” Flowers told Sebastian Daily.
The conference brings sheriffs together with state and federal partners for training and coordination aimed at keeping agencies ahead of criminal activity. Officials said the exchange of ideas among the 61 participating sheriff’s offices gives leaders practical tools and strategies they can take back to their own counties.
More than 125 vendors displayed equipment, technology and services, allowing sheriffs to review options in one place rather than spending time on separate evaluations.
Speakers included U.S. Sens. Rick Scott and Ashley Moody, DEA Administrator Terry Cole, FBI Director Kash Patel, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds and White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Sara Carter. Florida Sheriffs Association President Sheriff Lemma also reviewed the association’s work over the past year.
Direct coordination with agencies such as the DEA and FBI helps information move faster across county lines, whether the case involves a multi-county drug investigation or a missing person search that requires several departments. Those working relationships, officials said, strengthen the response for residents in all 67 Florida counties.
