VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood is being honored as a “Guardian of Israel.”
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Deputies said an Israeli delegation of religious, business and political leaders presented Chitwood with a “Guardian of Israel” award Wednesday in recognition of his stand against hate in Volusia County and across the country.
Watch: Sheriff: ‘Cowardly scumbags’ spread anti-Semitic flyers throughout Volusia County
“It’s incredible to see our story here in Volusia County travel across the world and generate this kind of support and appreciation from Israel,” Chitwood said. “I’m beyond honored to accept this award and to keep spreading the message that hate and extremism have no place in our society.”
Chitwood has received multiple death threats after standing up to anti-Semitic behavior in Volusia County.
Watch: ‘This is pure, pure, pure evil:’ Sheriff Chitwood responds to recent wave of anti-Semitism
Despite the threats against him, Chitwood has refused to back down and continues to call out the hateful behavior.
To date, three users of the Internet forum 4chan have been arrested on felony charges of making a written threat to kill.
The incidents contributed to Florida’s passage of HB 269, which gave law enforcement new tools to protect people from harassment, threats and intimidation based on their religious or ethnic heritage.
Earlier this month, Chitwood also received the ‘Critical Citizen Award’ from the Palm Beach Synagogue.
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