Robert Bruce "Bobby" Miller, 79, of Orlando, Florida, passed away on April 16, 2019. Born in Allentown, PA, he moved to Orlando at a very young age and always considered himself as a life long member of Central Florida. Reserve Deputy Robert B. “Bobby” Miller, retired from Orange County Sheriff's Department after 52 years of service. It was January 22nd, 1965, when Bobby started with the agency.
Lyndon B. Johnson was President of the United States, and Sheriff Dave Starr authorized reserve deputies to supplement the 25 full-time deputies in Orange County (we have over 1500 full-time deputies now!)
Bobby had several opportunities to be full-time with the sheriff’s office, but he chose to stay as a volunteer.
Bobby remembers his 52 years with pride.
Bobby says all of the reserves in the unit would work every Friday and Saturday night. But he and a couple others worked all seven days a week.
To become a reserve in 1965, there was a formal 3-page application, which was the same as a full-time deputy application.
However, after the agency human resources completed the background check, the reserve unit held an election to decide whether to “vote” in the applicant into the unit.
Bobby also recalls that all deputies and reserves at that time had to be a registered Democrat to serve. Bobby said, “No one ever asked me for my driver’s license, but they did ask to see my voter registration!”
Bobby was also the first reserve to be assigned an Orange County Sheriff’s Office motorcycle. He also recalls the sheriff’s cars of that era. Bobby said, “Cars had no air conditioning, no AM/FM radio, no power steering, and no power brakes."
Bobby loved being a reserve, and says he would do it for the rest of his life if he was allowed.
He is enthusiastic when he says, “I live and breathe the sheriff’s office!”
We've come a long way in 50 years, and we thank Reserve Deputy Bobby Miller for being part of OCSO history.
Bobby's half-century of unselfish devotion to the citizens of Orange County and the OCSO will always be remembered. Bravo, sir!
Bobby his survived by his brother, Bruce (Jackie) Miller; his former wife, Joan, who they remained friends; and numerous nieces and nephews.
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