Anderson County bids a sorrowful farewell to county employee and long-time community servant, Ike Brissey, who passed on Wednesday, June 9, 2010. Captain Ike Brissey was Deputy Director of Emergency Services for the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.
Ike joined the Anderson County Fire Department family as a volunteer fireman in 1982 and was a dedicated member of the Hopewell Fire Department until his untimely death. As the past Chief of Hopewell Fire Department for six years, he was also Chairman of the Board. His selfless dedication and service to the people of Anderson County earned Ike the distinction of being chosen Anderson County’s Fireman of the Year in 1989.
Brissey’s dedication to the citizens of Anderson County did not just include his dedication to public safety. His attention to detail and willingness to see people and businesses thrive in Anderson County was also a priority of his. In addition to serving as president of the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce from 1980 to 1986, Ike was included in the Top Ten Leaders of Anderson County in 1985, 1986 and 1987, co-founder of the Anderson Area CrimeStoppers in 1985, and founded Leadership Anderson, a leadership development program of the Chamber of Commerce.
Ike implemented the Anderson division of Positive Management Leadership, a program for top management to learn win/win type management skills, was co-founder and a past chairman for the Anderson Summer Soiree, founder of the Golden Goose Society, a community pride organization, co-founder of the Anderson Area Touchdown Club, and a past president of the Anderson City Rotary Club.
He was a member of Whitefield Baptist Church and provided a lifetime of service, serving in various roles such as a music and choir instructor and was presently a Sunday School teacher.
“Ike was an adoring father, an adoring husband and one of the most dedicated individuals I have ever known,” said Anderson County Interim Administrator Rusty Burns. “Ike was a servant leader. He led by example and because of his kind, gentle spirit, many followed in his footsteps. He will be sorely missed. His position with the County will be filled, but make no mistake, Ike Brissey could never be replaced.”
“My sympathies go out to the Brissey family and friends,” said County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn. “Ike was a good man. We shared a commitment to protecting our community from the hazards of fire and we had the opportunity to work together at the County. But most of all, I had the honor of calling him my friend. We will miss him, but his impact on this community will last forever.”
“Anderson County has lost a true public servant,” said Anderson County Sheriff John Skipper. “Ike Brissey has meant so much to so many. His life left a lasting imprint on the future of Anderson County. My sincerest sympathies go out to his family and to all those who called him friend.”
Brissey had spent the last year working as the Master Exercise Practitioner for the upcoming Upstate’s role in the statewide disaster response training exercise “Red Dragon / Palmetto Shield”. The dedication and effort Ike put towards “Palmetto Shield” earned the exercise the distinction of the 2nd largest exercise in the nation and Anderson County’s largest full-scale exercise to-date. His planning of the exercise involved interaction with top officials from over 108 response agencies nationwide. The Upstate’s role in the “Palmetto Shield” exercise officially begins next week.
Ike is survived by his loving wife, Diane of Anderson, two daughters and one son.
The Service for Ike Brissey was held at Whitefield Baptist Church on Friday June 11, 2010
Whitefield Baptist Church is located at 207 Mitchell Road, Belton, SC 29627
COUNTY MOURNS LOSS OF PUBLIC SAFETY LEADER IKE BRISSEY
Captain Ike Brissey
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