JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams retired Friday after it was discovered he no longer lives in Duval County, violating the city's charter. As of Saturday at 2 p.m., previous undersheriff Pat Ivey has been sworn in as the sixth Sheriff since consolidation, according to a spokesperson for the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday he was appointing Ivey to fill the seat.
JSO's spokesperson said the public and the media would not be able to observe this transfer of power, according to JSO's spokesperson. The spokesperson said only the judge, Ivey and his family would attend.
JSO sent Williams off with a video dedicated to his more than three decades of service Friday afternoon.
Williams announced his retirement last week following revelations that he moved to Nassau County last year. Jacksonville's charter states that the sheriff must live in Duval County throughout his or her term.
According to First Coast News Crime and Safety Analyst Mark Baughman, Ivey will step into the role of interim sheriff without a hitch.
“Once you get to that level of undersheriff and you work for a sheriff operationally, you make probably by and large 80 percent of the decisions on a day-to-day basis, along with other people," Baughman said.
"I mean, that’s called delegating authority. Most sheriffs do it. Sheriffs ultimately sign off on it ... Somebody who is in that position of undersheriff, that is a critical, pivotal position. So, this is going to be a pretty seamless transition for Pat Ivey,” Baughman said.
Here's what led up to the Jacksonville sheriff's seat being vacated:
Timeline of Events:
May 26:
First Coast News' Kailey Tracy spoke with Sheriff Williams one-one-one about gun violence in Jacksonville. She also asked him about selling his Jacksonville home in 2021, and asked Williams if he still lived in Duval County.
"Currently, I do not live in Jacksonville and plan to stay outside of Jacksonville in Nassau County when I retire," Williams said.
May 29:
City attorney Jason Teal released a statement in response to Williams admitting he'd moved.
Read the full statement below:
"I am not answering any questions at this time, but I did want you to know that the City Council president has requested a binding legal opinion from me on this subject. I expect to issue the opinion on or before June 1st."
May 31:
The deadline for the binding legal opinion regarding Williams' residency was extended to June 2.
"That's the absolute deadline," City Council President Sam Newby said. "I would rather get it right."
June 1:
Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said at a press conference that he didn't know Williams moved to Nassau County prior to the controversy surrounding Williams' residency. Curry said Williams called him after the interview with First Coast News' Kailey Tracy and told Curry he got asked about where he lives.
June 2:
Williams announced his retirement. In a statement, he said he felt like a court battle over his residency would "not be good for our community."
Read the sheriff's full statement below:
After Williams announced his retirement, Newby rescinded his request for the binding legal opinion, saying the retirement created a vacancy, so the opinion would be a moot point. The draft of the legal opinion was released stating that the sheriff's seat was vacated when Williams moved out of Duval County more than a year ago.
June 6:
City council held a special meeting to vote on when the special election for Jacksonville's new sheriff would be held. The council voted unanimously to hold it during the August primaries on Aug. 23.
At that meeting, Teal walked the council through his opinion and answered questions.
Gov. DeSantis announced he appointed Undersheriff Ivey as the new interim sheriff at a press conference in Jacksonville Monday as well.
"I think the important thing is continuity to get us through the end of the year. I think Pat is very, very highly regarded, recommended," DeSantis said. "I think he's going to have respect from people from day one. I think he'll be able to continue the work that the department is doing without having major interruptions," DeSantis said at a press conference.
DeSantis also endorsed sheriff candidate T.K. Waters, who plans to step down from his role as JSO's Chief of Investigations to run for sheriff. Williams has also endorsed Waters.
"That's my man there. I'm supporting T.K. Waters for the next Jacksonville sheriff. I think he's got a tremendous background. He has been involved at various levels of law enforcement. I think he would really provide excellent leadership for the people of Jacksonville," the governor said while pointing at Waters at the press conference Monday.
June 10:
Williams has his last day of work as Jacksonville's sheriff. JSO said Williams' retirement events are private.
June 11:
A judge will swear in Ivey as the interim sheriff of Jacksonville at a private ceremony.
Williams' departure prompted a special sheriff's election that will be held on Aug. 23.
"Mike Williams served as the sheriff and did not complete two terms and there may be some people who don't particularly care for the fact that that happened, but none the less, when he was there, he did serve and he did serve admirably, but that may impact whoever he endorsed," Baughman said.
Six candidates are expected to run, including Waters, who, again, Williams and DeSantis endorsed.
If you plan to vote in the special election, you have to register by July 25. Early voting takes place Aug. 8-21. Those living abroad or serving in the military can vote by mail starting July 9. Everyone else can vote by mail July 14-July 21.
"By having these additional elections, it gives everybody an additional bite at the apple basically," Baughman said.
Regardless of who wins the special election, there will still be the regularly scheduled sheriff's race March 21, 2023.
"It’s unprecedented because consolidation happened I think in back in the early 70s, so you had five sheriffs leading up to this, or a total of five sheriffs, and now, with these additional election periods that have been created because of it, you potentially could have four if you count within a one year time period, and you got to include the acting sheriff, Mike being the sheriff," Baughman said.
"Depending on how the election process weighs out, you could have a number of people that hold that position," Baughman said.