Staff report

ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis has announced the appointment of Emery Gainey as Sheriff of Alachua County. This appointment is effective October 2, 2023.

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Emery Gainey

Gainey was born and grew up in Gainesville. He started his law enforcement career in 1982 with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. He worked his way up the ranks, eventually becoming Chief Deputy under Sheriff Steve Oelrich. After leaving the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, he worked for the Attorney General’s Office under Attorney General Pam Bondi and left there as Chief of Staff. He was appointed as Sheriff of Marion County by Governor Rick Scott in 2016 and served until the new Sheriff elected in 2016 took office. Gainey earned his associate degree from Santa Fe College and his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Florida.