In Memory of Lieutenant Adam Dale Whisenant
On Tuesday, April 27, 2021, Florida residents learned that a veteran officer who currently worked with the Florida Division of Alcohol Beverages and Tobacco had died due to the current coronavirus pandemic. Lieutenant Adam Dale Whisenant, badge number 653, passed away due to complications from contracting COVID19. He was 48 years old.
Lt. Whisenant had behind him a lifetime in public service. He had accumulated thirty years as a law officer. At the young age of 18, he decided to work on his dream of being an officer and helping members of his community. His most recent assignment had been for the past eight years, and he was with the Florida Division of Alcohol Beverages and Tobacco.
Before joining his current department, Lt. Whisenant had previously served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement.
Whisenant was a family man. He grew up in the area and married his childhood sweetheart, whom he met at age 16. At the age of 18, he wanted to get married and started his serious trek into a career in law enforcement when he began as a corrections officer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Later in his career, he became federally certified as a Clandestine Methamphetamine Lab Investigator and shut down many of these illegal labs. In addition, he was a member of the SWAT team and worked hard in every position to protect his family, neighbors, and community.
Florida Division of Alcohol Beverages and Tobacco
Florida’s ABT is the state agency that regulates the sale and tax of alcohol and tobacco within its borders. It also acts as a licensing agency member of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). The last eight years of Lt. Whisenant’s career were spent with this bureau.
The FABT follows its mission to effectively supervise the distribution of alcohol and tobacco to consumers in a free enterprise system while handling the collection of taxes and other authorized fees. In addition, the agency has law enforcement officers to help enforce any service made on a business and ensure that those businesses not following the law are brought to justice.
Remembrances
Lieutenant Adam Dale Whisenant leaves behind his wife, three children, two grandchildren, mother, and siblings. The long-time officer was well-liked and respected in his community; the loss was felt deeply by all. Neighbors, friends, family, and many law enforcement colleagues gathered to show honor for the sacrifice made by Lt. Whisenant. Their gratitude is also a show of support to the Whisenant family.
Family member Cliff Whisenant posted a picture of Adam and wanted others to know he was proud of the life he had spent for others. “Special Agent, Lieutenant Adam Whisenant, I couldn’t be more proud of him. A life lived in the service of others.”
Local reporter Hannah Morse posted details of the loss and the mayor’s statement. “Mayor Dave Kerner is presenting a proclamation for Special Agent Adam Whisenant, who worked on the county’s COVID Education and Compliance Team and died in April of COVID.”
Colleague Jeimmy Mejia posted his last goodbye to Whisenant online. “Adam, you’re gone too soon! I will miss our random talks about life and just knowing all your cool, crazy, and wild police adventures!! Meeting you and your family was a blessing! This is a picture I took when we celebrated your birthday in the office God Speed Rambo!”
A friend and partner, Bradley Frank, shared his goodbyes, asking Lt. Whisenant to look in on them from time to time. “Partner, you were one of a kind. You have left a tremendous hole that will never be filled. You were the best of the best and are gone way too soon. Look in on us from time to time and help keep us safe. We love you. God speed, you’ll never be forgotten.”
