William Kenneth (Ken) Derrett, 77, Cocoa, Florida passed away May 16, 2023 at Solaris Health Care in Merritt Island, FL.

Ken is a native of Indianapolis, IN and a graduate of Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, IN and attended Vincennes University.

Ken is retired from the Marion County Sheriff's Department (Indiana) and the Orange County Sheriff's Office (Florida).  Ken served in the Navy-Seabees.

Ken was a Deputy Sheriff with the Marion County Sheriff's Department (Indiana) where he participated in the honor guard, worked in the jail and spent most of his career on the street where he found his passion working with dogs as a K-9 handler.  He was one of the founding fathers of the North American Police Work Dog Association in 1977, now one of the largest canine organizations in the world dedicated to setting standards and certifications for police working dogs.  He served as, State Coordinator, Trainer, Master Trainer, Vice President and President of the organization throughout his 45-year involvement.

Following his retirement at Marion County Indiana, he was recruited into the security field to handle a narcotics and explosives dog for the Kennedy Space Center Florida, where he would be one of the last few people on the launch pad before the astronauts entered the shuttle.

He went on to restart his career as a Deputy Sheriff for the Orange County Sheriff's Office in Florida where he worked on the street, in the fugitive unit, extradition and warrants until earning his second retirement.  He was a proud Navy veteran where he served in the Seabees and participated in the drill team prior to his law enforcement career.   Once retired, he enjoyed time on his motorcycle, socializing with some good friends and feeding the neighborhood squirrels-who will all miss him dearly.

His parents Clarence Joseph Derrett and Virginia L Derrett, former wives Reba J. Derrett and Vera Derrett, preceded Ken in death.

Survivors include sons Zane M. Derrett of Indianapolis, IN and Travis D. Derrett and daughter-in-law Ronda Clark-Derrett of Trafalgar, IN, along with many cousins and second cousins.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society, a local humane society, or your local law enforcement's K-9 program.

Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN is handling the arrangements.