GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. — Clay County's newly appointed interim sheriff addressed the media for the first time Monday afternoon at the sheriff's office headquarters in Green Cove Springs.
Interim Sheriff Matthew Walsh was appointed Saturday by Gov. Ron DeSantis following the suspension of former Sheriff Darryl Daniels, who was arrested last week after a sex scandal investigation.
During the news conference, Walsh made a point to say the scandal is not representative of the agency's integrity.
"I want to assure the citizens that the members of the Clay County Sheriff's Office are among the most professional people who share a heart of service," he said.
The interim sheriff said he will serve in the position for as long as the government permits him to, however, he has no plans to make any personal changes to the agency. Instead, he said he looks forward to being a source of stability and support. He also said he wants his time as interim sheriff to serve has a fresh start for the agency following the scandal.
"I've been all over the state and I've worked all over the state," Walsh said. "I can tell you that when I was asked to be the interim sheriff, it was one of the greatest honors of my life."
According to the FDLE, Walsh has more than 20 years of experience and was most recently assigned to the Jacksonville Regional Operations Center where he served as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge. He joined the FDLE in 2003.
Daniels is charged with a third-degree felony of tampering with physical evidence and three misdemeanor charges of falsifying reports to law enforcement. The investigation stemmed from him having his mistress, Cierra Smith, arrested on accusations of stalking in May 2019.
Daniels has admitted to having an affair with Smith, his subordinate, for several years, a relationship that began when Daniels was the director of the Duval County Jail and Smith was a correctional officer.
Daniels was elected sheriff in November 2016 to serve a four-year term and was planning to run for reelection in 2020.
"Your appointment is evidence of my confidence in your ability to serve with excellence and distinction," DeSantis wrote to Walsh.
You can read a copy of Walsh's temporary appointment here.
The primary election for Clay County Sheriff is Aug. 18.