BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A Brevard County Sheriff’s Office homicide agent killed in a fiery wrong-way crash Saturday night is being remembered as someone who made a lasting impact on his community.
Agent Kevin Morris, 55, died after a 26-year-old woman driving the wrong way on I-95 crashed head-on into Morris’ patrol SUV near Titusville, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
During an emotional news conference Sunday, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey struggled to find the words to describe the loss.
“My heart’s broken,” Ivey said. “If you knew Kevin, you loved him. He was a strong man of faith. He had some old man-isms, if you will, and was just one of those guys that when he walked into a room everybody lighted up, everybody was glad to be around him.”
According to FHP, the crash happened around 11:03 p.m. Saturday near mile marker 221 on I-95.
Investigators said the 26-year-old woman was returning home to Kissimmee from a wedding when she made a U-turn on the interstate and began traveling south in the northbound lanes.
Both vehicles caught fire following the collision, killing Morris and the woman. Morris was on duty and responding to a call at the time.
FHP is leading the investigation into the crash. The identity of the woman has not been released.
Morris joined the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office in February 2021, after previously serving with the Palm Bay Police Department.
Throughout his law enforcement career, he received numerous letters of commendation, commendable service awards, and a Life Saving Award.
But to many who knew him, Morris was more than a deputy. He was known as “Coach Kevin” and “Pastor Kevin.”
Longtime friend Johnna Kemp said she first got to know Morris through youth football. Her son, Jacob, played football alongside Morris’ son, Joel.
Kemp said Morris was passionate about coaching and pushed young athletes to reach their full potential, while also teaching them lessons that extended beyond the football field.
“He just wanted people to get through the good and the bad of things,” Kemp said. “If the team had a bad day, we stopped and prayed, and then we came to the next game, and you know we prayed a little more.”
Their friendship continued long after Morris stopped coaching her son.
Kemp recalled how Morris supported her family when Jacob suffered a serious football injury during his sophomore year of high school. Kemp said Morris was also there for her family after Jacob was involved in a serious car crash.
When Kemp’s husband died, Morris once again helped her family through a difficult time.
“He touched, everywhere he went, he touched life,” Kemp said.
Asked what she would say to Morris if she had one more opportunity, Kemp became emotional.
“There are so many things you want to say, but I can just say, thank you,” Kemp said.
Sebastian River High School, where Morris previously coached football, released a statement Sunday mourning his death.
“Coach Morris was an amazing teacher and coach who made a lasting impact on our football team and the entire Shark Nation family,” the school said. “He touched so many lives, both on and off the field, and his influence will never be forgotten.”
The school ended its tribute with the words, “Once a Shark, always a Shark.”
Titusville Mayor Andrew Connors also released a statement offering condolences to Morris’ family, fellow deputies, and the family of the other driver killed in the crash.
“When tragedy strikes one member of our law enforcement family, it impacts all of us,” Connors said.
The mayor thanked Titusville police officers and firefighters who assisted the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office in responding to multiple critical incidents overnight.
“I hate losing a member of our team. Kevin was such a great guy,” Ivey said.
The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office said funeral arrangements for Morris will be announced when they become available.
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