Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Maine honored Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett for his dedication to helping children in Lincoln County and throughout Maine.

Kim Gore, Maine state director for Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, presented Brackett with the organization’s Champion for Children Award, recognizing his support for public safety by protecting and investing in Maine’s youngest, at-risk kids.

“Sheriff Brackett knows from his extensive law enforcement career that one of the best crime prevention tools we have is giving Maine children the right start in life, starting with a solid early learning foundation,” Gore said.

“He has been an outstanding member and spokesperson for our organization since 2003, and we are very pleased to present him with this well-deserved award.”

Fight Crime: Invest in Kidsis a statewide anti-crime organization of police chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors, other law enforcement leaders and violence survivors with 125 in Maine and over 5,000 members nationwide.

Among his many contributions to Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, Brackett has testified before the Maine Legislature in support of investments in early childhood, primarily Head Start and the home visitation program Healthy Families.

He has also traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with the members of Maine’s congressional delegation to explain the importance of how early interventions programs like Head Start and home visiting prevent crime and violence in Maine communities.

Brackett is the law enforcement representative on the Maine Children’s Growth Council. He is also the Past President of Maine Sheriffs Association. Brackett began his career as a Correctional Officer with the Kennebec County Jail and has worked as a Canine Police (KP) officer, patrol officer for the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office, deputy for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and as Damariscotta’s Chief of Police. In 2002 he was elected Lincoln County’s 32nd sheriff.

Brackett said he was honored to accept Fight Crime: Invest in Kids’ Champion for Children Award.

“I’ve spent my entire career in law enforcement and know from both my professional experience and proven research that smart investments in high-quality early childhood programs pay great dividends down the road.

“Such programs give kids a solid start in life, set the stage for later career and academic successes and help create safer communities,” Brackett said.