At the August Special Council Presentation Ceremony, Mayor Steven Losner recognized a local Homestead wrestling champion who got inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Kevin Pedersen, who was a wrestling champion in 1976, was inducted into the Hall of Fame on August 27, and the City of Homestead has proclaimed August 27th, 2022 in his honor.
“Kevin is one of the good guys in our community, and with this very special honor coming his way, we wanted to take a moment and recognize him” remarked Mayor Losner “You deserve this, Kevin”.
Kevin Pedersen is a South Florida native, a graduate from West Point Military Academy (1980) and started his career as an officer in the army, 24th Infantry division. He then went on to serve for 21 years as a Senior Special Agent for the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). He now owns an operates the Good Year Tire Service in Homestead, alongside his family, and he also is the wrestling coach at Westminster Christian School.
Pedersen’s time in the DEA also earned him two administrator awards for valor and a documentary on ESPN called “Pin Kings”. In this television special, they chronicle his days in the DEA, where they followed the astonishing story of how he ended up chasing after a former wrestling teammate, Alex DeCubas, in the 1990’s war on drugs.
“We go where God calls us, and he called me into law enforcement”, Pedersen said in his acceptance speech, “I am very thankful for that. He used the great sport of wrestling to instill principles and strength into young men and women that they can use later in their careers, wrestling did that for me.”
The Florida chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame was founded in 2000. They have over 139 inductees representing the state from Pensacola to Key West. Pedersen was inducted into the Hall of Fame and awarded the special designation of Outstanding American.
For his wrestling accomplishments, service to his country, and being an outstanding member of the community, the City of Homestead has proclaimed August 27, 2022, as Kevin Pedersen Day.