Sign up for email updates

Paid political advertisement paid for by in-kind by Dixie Strategies LLC.  Approved by Rick Beseler, Republican, for Sheriff

Strong Leadership in Tough Times

Rick Beseler is a native of Clay County and a graduate of Clay High School. In 1973, at the age of 19, he joined the Green Cove Springs Police Department and attained the rank of Sergeant. In 1978, he joined the State Attorney's Office in Jacksonville and rose through the ranks to become the Chief Investigator in 1993. During those years, he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Criminology from Florida State University and a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice Management from the University of North Florida and also graduated from the 141st Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA. He retired on December 31, 2003, after 30 years of service to the citizens of the State of Florida and began to campaign for the Office of Clay County Sheriff. On August 3l, 2004, he was elected and was sworn in on January 4, 2005, as Clay County's 27th Sheriff and subsequently won re-election in 2008.

Family

Wife Joan, three children and four grandchildren.

Education

Clay High School, Diploma; St. Johns River Junior College, Associate's Degree; Florida State University, Bachelor's Degree in Criminology; University of North Florida, Master's Degree in Criminal Justice; FBI National Academy, 141st Session; FBI Southeastern Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar; National Sheriff's Institute 90th Session; FBI Law Enforcement Executives Development Seminar, 57th Session

Career

Dispatcher through Patrol Sergeant, Green Cove Springs Police Department, five years; Investigator through Chief Investigator, State Attorney's Office, 4th Circuit, 25 years; elected Sheriff of Clay County, 8 years.

Honors and Affiliations

J.P. Hall Memorial Officer of the Year, 1974; President, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 104, 1980-82; twice nominated, Florida Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, 1983 & 1984; Award for Outstanding Performance of Duty, American Society for Industrial Security, 1987; Chairman, Northeast Florida Intelligence Unit, 1994; President, Northeast Florida Law Enforcement Executives Association, 2001; Vice-Chairman, Green Cove Springs Charter Revision Committee, 2001; President, Florida Chapter FBI National Academy Association, 2005; Chairman of the Board of Directors, Clay County Police Activities League, 2006-present. Currently serves as Historian for the Florida Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates; Appointed by Attorney General Bill McCollum as Chairman of Region 3 Gang Reduction Task Force, January 2009-present; Board of Directors Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranches, February 2009-present; Chairman of the Board of Directors Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranches 2011. Board of Directors, Florida Sheriff's Association 2011-present