Ormond Beach Police celebrate retirement of Officer Rob Pearson

Pearson, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, had been with the police department for almost 20 years.

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Every time Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey swears in a new officer, he tells them two thing: Don't soil the badge, and make it to the finish line.

And Officer Rob Pearson just crossed his. 

Members of the police and fire departments and city officials celebrated his retirement with a ceremony on Friday, April 5. Pearson, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, had been with the police department for almost 20 years. Though he lives in Palm Coast today, he grew up in Ormond Beach, attending Ormond Elementary. Ormond Beach Middle School and Seabreeze High School.

Pearson first joined OBPD in 2004 as a community service officer, and was sworn in as a police officer in 2005 after graduating from the police academy. His career in law enforcement came after 13 years in the Marine Corps.

"Ever since then, it's just been a great career," Godfrey said. "We're so blessed and honored to have you here."

Among his accomplishments in OBPD are being one of the beginning members of the department's police explorer program, serving on numerous task forces such as the methamphetamine response team, acting as both a breath test operator and agency inspector for the machine, and a previous nomination to the local Crimestoppers Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award.

In 2016, he also saved a woman's life in an attempted suicide. 

During the ceremony, Godfrey also presented the ceremony attendees with past forms showing Pearson had donated personal leave time to fellow employees.

"The man has a big heart," he said. "I pulled these out of his file because I was actually taken aback — I hadn't seen that many."

Capt. DW Smith said he knew Pearson would be a great addition to the police department from the beginning, having worked with his late father, Royden, who was OBPD's evidence custodian. His father, Smith joked, was funnier than Pearson though.

"Some things didn't carry over," Pearson joked.

But some things, Smith replied, did — like his work ethic and dedication to the police department.

"You know how people say 20% of people do 80% of the work around here? ... I'm here to tell you Rob was one of those guys," Smith said. "He took on every external ancillary task that nobody else wanted to do."

This included advocating for police as a union representative and being an agency inspector. He was also a field training officer, which Smith said was one of his most important roles.

In his last evaluation, Pearson was commended for his efforts in acquiring boonie hats for police officers to stave off the sun, as well as providing input on new equipment and uniforms. He also attempted to help the department acquire its first emotional support dog, but after some time, it became clear to officers that she was better off as a lapdog.The dog, Lucy, now lives with Capt. Chris Roos' parents.

 "Rob is a bulldog but he got things done, and we appreciate that," Roos said. 

Assistant City Manager Claire Whitley shared her three favorite things about Pearson: His passion, his kindness and their shared love of Starbucks. They used to run into each other every morning at Starbucks before work, and Pearson was always the same genuine person in those moments and while in union negotiations.

On his passion and kindness, Whitley said it's not easy to hold both qualities at the same time.

"You hold your convictions closely and fight for them tirelessly," she said. "And you do so with a humanity that cannot be questioned, but only admired."

Pearson said "all grace goes to God." Without him, Pearson said, he wouldn't be here.

"There's a saying that goes, 'Whenever you go somewhere, you leave it better than when you got there,' and I'd like to say that I did that here," Pearson said.

 

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