To the citizens of Gilchrist County:

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your Sheriff the last 12 years. It comes as a bittersweet closing to this chapter of my life as I announce my retirement. At the end of my elected term, I will say goodbye to a 33 year law enforcement career. This was not an easy decision but one that I've been agonizing over for some time. It was a decision that needed to be made so those that choose to seek the office would have time to prepare their campaigns.

I can not leave something I feel so compassionate about without reflecting back to the very beginning of my career. I can remember the very first day I began working as a jailer/dispatcher with the Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office. How anxious I was to have the opportunity to make a difference in the quality of life for the citizens of this county. That same passion to make Gilchrist County a safer place for the citizens to live and raise their family's, drove me as I prepared myself to chase my dream to become Sheriff. You gave me the opportunity to fulfill that dream when you elected me Sheriff and allowed me to serve you for three terms.

Although I have not endorsed anyone, I urge you to seek out the most qualified candidate, a person that is a proven leader, dedicated to the profession and most importantly knowledgeable of all the responsibilities of this great Constitutional Office.

I'm a blessed man. God gave me a wonderful family. It takes a strong family to survive a 33 year law enforcement career. I can't thank my family and friends enough for the sacrifices they have made and the support they have given me. They understood that I had to give my job 100% if I wanted to be successful. They supported me in good times and bad.

Thanks to my other family, the men and women of the Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office. I wouldn't have had the success without you. You helped to make my job easier. I appreciate your commitment and dedication. I thank God for keeping you safe and pray that he will continue to protect you when the job takes you in harms way.

Now that I've made my decision to retire, I've started planning my future. I'll now have time to spend on my other passions, fishing and hunting. It will be great to fish when I want to. I look forward to having more time to spend with my family and friends.

Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me the honor and privilege to serve as your Sheriff.