Tallahassee, Fla. (August 1, 2014) – The Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA), one of the largest and most successful state law-enforcement associations in the nation, is pleased to announce its leadership for the coming year. St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar has been elected as President of FSA. Sheriff Shoar will be responsible for presiding over the association, working with the staff and board of directors to guide the efforts and direction of the 120-year old non-profit organization and its 67 Sheriffs. Sheriff Sadie Darnell (Alachua County) serves as vice president, Sheriff Jerry Demings (Orange County) as secretary and Sheriff Brad Steube (Manatee County) as treasurer. 

Sheriff Bob Gualtieri will serve as Chair of the Florida Sheriffs Taskforce, which pools resources from the 67 Sheriffs’ Offices to address specific areas of concern, such as cyber sexual predators, outstanding felony warrants and underage alcohol, tobacco and drug use. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri (Pinellas) will serve as legislative chair and lead the association’s public safety and legislative issues. The new chairman of the board is Sheriff Mike Adkinson (Walton), who will also serve as training and education chair. 

“Sheriff Shoar was selected as president because of his extensive experience in various roles within law enforcement and service to FSA as chair and treasurer,” said FSA Executive Director Steve Casey. “He brings nearly 40 years of law enforcement and military experience, a highly successful tenure as a leader, as well as many honors and awards.”

Sheriff David Shoar joined the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office in 2004 when he was overwhelmingly elected as St. Johns County Sheriff and has subsequently been re-elected in 2008 and 2012. The sheriff graduated Cum Laude from St. Johns River Community College, Summa Cum Laude from the University of North Florida with a BA in Criminal Justice, as well as Summa Cum Laude from University of North Florida with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. In addition, he is a 24-year veteran of the Florida Army National Guard. 

He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, and served as the police chief for St. Augustine Police Department for four years prior to his election as sheriff. He continues to serve the St. Johns County community on numerous boards and committees. Sheriff Shoar has been married to his wife of nearly 30 years, Laura, and together, they have a daughter and son.

# # #