About Sheriff Rick Ramsay

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Sheriff Rick Ramsay

Sheriff Rick Ramsay’s strong desire to serve his community led him to attend the Florida Keys Institute of Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement Academy Class of 1987. Upon graduating in November of that year, he began his career with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office as a road patrol deputy. During his career with the Sheriff's Office he was promoted through the ranks serving in patrol, investigations, special operations, corrections, and South Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). He was promoted to undersheriff in 2004 under Sheriff Rick Roth and in 2012, he ran for sheriff and was elected with an overwhelming majority of the vote.

In addition to his law enforcement duties, Sheriff Ramsay served as a volunteer firefighter for 15 years in Marathon, rising to the rank of deputy chief. Sheriff Ramsay counts his years as a volunteer firefighter as some of his most satisfying years of public service.

Sheriff Rick Ramsay is the most decorated deputy in the history of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, receiving ninety-three commendations of merit. He has received all the awards the Office bestows including the Medal of Valor for saving the life of a man trapped in a drainage pipe filled with lethal fumes.

While Sheriff Ramsay has commanded many Sheriff's Office divisions during his career, he has also continued his education by attending numerous courses and seminars including the prestigious Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, the Southern Police Institute Command Officers Development Course and the National Sheriffs’ Institute Executive Training course.

As Sheriff of Monroe County, Rick Ramsay gives great emphasis to Community Policing. He has achieved remarkable results with these efforts, including a significant reduction in the crime rate and many noteworthy beautification projects restoring environmentally distressed areas countywide. His successful leadership model has been featured in several articles in both local and state publications.

Sheriff Ramsay’s community involvement is clearly reflected by his affiliation with many non-profit and charitable associations. He has been awarded the Community Foundation Unsung Hero Award three times, the Samuel’s House Men of Valor Award 2012, the Fire Fighter of the Year Award and the Imogene Synon Award 2014. He is an active board member for the Florida Keys Children Shelter, WestCare Guidance Center, the Monroe Association of Remarkable Citizens, Monroe County D.U.I. Coalition, United Way of Monroe County and The Military Affairs Committee.

Sheriff Rick Ramsay has also been appointed to the Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission and, in October 2014, the National Sheriff’s Association gave the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office prestigious “Triple Crown” status, designating simultaneous accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement (CALEA), the American Correctional Association (ACA); and, the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHA). The Monroe County Sheriff's Officeis one of only 38 Sheriff’s Offices nationwide to have attained this status.

Education: FBI National Academy, 212th Session, Southern Police Institute's Command Officers Development Course, Florida Keys Institute of Criminal Justice, LE Academy 1987; 107th Session National Sheriffs' Institute

Honors and Affiliations: State of Florida Law Enforcement Office of the Year, American Legion, 2010-2011; Sheriff’s office, Medal of Valor; Sheriff’s Medal (X-3); Distinguished Service Medal, Community Foundation Unsung Hero Award in 2010, 2011, and 2014; Samuel's House Men of Valor 2012 Award; Marathon Volunteer Fire/Rescue Fire Fighter of the Year award, the Imogene Synon Award 2014; Member: United Way of Monroe County, Children’s Shelter of Monroe County, Guidance Care Center, West Care, College Training Advisory Committee, Monroe Association of Remarkable Citizens, Monroe County D.U.I. Coalition, Military Affairs Committee, Leadership Monroe County; Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission.