A Florida sheriff's deputy, who was recently honored as "Deputy of the Year," has resigned as the Brevard County Sheriff's Office was preparing to fire him for alleged egregious misconduct. Michael Fultz, 24, resigned on May 27 following an internal investigation into accusations including tracking his ex-girlfriend with Flock cameras, using racial slurs, and performing a Nazi salute.
Seven months after being hired as a probationary deputy, Fultz was recognized in April 2025 for his actions in a shooting incident where he fired on a man who charged at him with a knife. He was awarded the 2025 Deputy of the Year and a Medal of Valor. However, shortly after the award ceremony, his ex-girlfriend sent an email to the sheriff's office detailing a series of allegations.
According to records obtained by News6, the ex-girlfriend provided investigators with images showing Fultz placing a gun, which she stated resembled an agency-issued handgun, in her mouth and pointing it at the back of her head during consensual sex. Fultz admitted to ignoring firearm safety protocols but claimed it was his personal gun. She also alleged that Fultz had discussed watching her using the agency's Flock camera license-plate reader system. An audit confirmed Fultz had searched his ex-girlfriend’s license plate once before his shift began, marking the search as for "investigation" purposes. He denied using the system to spy on her but could not provide a reason for the off-duty query.
Flock cameras, which map license plates from various vendors, have drawn increased scrutiny following reports of law enforcement officials misusing such tools. The allegations against Fultz do not appear to have triggered a criminal probe.
Further allegations included Fultz posing for a photograph in 2023, prior to his hiring, with a mustache styled to mimic Adolf Hitler and performing a Nazi salute. Fultz admitted to posing for the photo but stated it was a joke and denied being racist. Text messages provided to investigators also revealed his repeated use of the N-word. Fultz reportedly told investigators that due to growing up in a foster home with Black parents and siblings, the slur had become normalized for him. He also acknowledged that as a law enforcement officer, he should refrain from using derogatory language.
The investigation also found that Fultz had been stopped by other law enforcement agencies at least four times while riding his motorcycle off-duty but failed to report these incidents to his supervisors as required.
In a statement following his resignation, Fultz apologized to Brevard County residents, his family, and the Sheriff's Office for the embarrassment and negative attention his actions caused. He expressed gratitude to Sheriff Wayne Ivey and the Brevard County Sheriff's Office for the opportunity to fulfill his dream of becoming a deputy.