February 7, 2008
Gary Davidson
Public Information Officer

SHERIFF, COUNTY COUNCIL HONOR MAJOR CRAIG BROUGHTON 

Among one of Sheriff Ben Johnson’s first acts upon being sworn into office in 2001 was promoting Craig Broughton to the rank of major. A renowned expert in domestic violence law, Broughton has called his seven years of service on Sheriff Johnson’s command staff the most professionally rewarding experience of his nearly 37-year career. That illustrious career came to an end with Broughton’s retirement last week, and on Thursday Sheriff Johnson along with the County Council took time out to thank Broughton for his dedicated service to the citizens of Volusia County. “Every position he’s held in the Volusia County Sheriff’s Department, he’s done it with honor and pride,” Sheriff Johnson told the audience assembled in the council chambers. “I’ve had the opportunity for him to work for me when I was a sergeant, lieutenant and as sheriff. He’s been a great, great employee.”

Now 54-years-old, Broughton first came to work for the county as a lifeguard in 1971 when he was just a 17-year-old kid. Seven years later, he joined the Sheriff’s Office and launched a 30-year law enforcement career that spanned numerous assignments in the agency, including patrol, investigations, judicial services and civil. Broughton also supervised the Sheriff’s Office’s District 5 headquarters in New Smyrna Beach and spent the last seven years of his career as commander of the Sheriff’s Office’s Judicial Services Division, an expansive area of the department that encompasses a nearly $11 million operating budget and about 160 employees in civil, court security, prisoner transport, warrants, extraditions and records. But perhaps Broughton’s greatest legacy is in the area of domestic violence, where he served as a statewide instructor and was appointed to numerous boards and task forces that helped shape Florida laws and procedures for protecting victims of domestic violence. “I just want to say thank you for all that you’ve done and your involvement, commitment and caring with the domestic violence issues,” noted County Council Vice Chair Joie Alexander.

For his part, Broughton thanked the council and said he always tried to put his all into everything he did. “I’ve never lost sight of the fact as to who pays my salary,” said Broughton. “I’ve always tried to give the citizens of this county their money’s worth in everything I’ve done. It’s been an absolute pleasure to serve you.” Added County Council Chair Frank Bruno: “We thank you for all your dedicated service.”