NASSAU COUNTY SHERIFF'S NON-EMERGENCY PHONE # 904-225-5174
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Sherriff's Office Nassau County
SHERIFF BILL LEEPERNASSAU COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Sheriff | Nassau County Sheriff's Office

ADMINISTRATION

Sheriff Bill Leeper

is a lifelong resident of Nassau County and served 35 years with the Florida Highway Patrol, retiring at the rank of Captain. He and his wife, Emma, own and operate a retail business in Fernandina Beach. He is also a former City Commissioner and served two terms as Mayor of Fernandina Beach.

Bill was elected Sheriff of Nassau County in 2012 and was re-elected in 2016, 2020, and again in 2024. He is currently serving his fourth term in office.

After graduating from high school in 1971, Bill was drafted by the New York Mets and went on to play professional Minor League Baseball. He was later recognized as one of Nassau County’s “Top 50 Athletes” from 1949 to 1999 by the Fernandina Beach News-Leader. In 2006, he was inducted into the Fernandina Beach High School Hall of Fame.

Sheriff Leeper is also the author of the traffic safety book Highway of Horror.

EDUCATION

  • Fernandina Beach High School;
  • Associate in Science Degree, Vincennes University;
  • Associate in Arts Degree, Florida Community College;
  • Bachelor of Arts Degree, Columbia College-Missouri;
  • Law Enforcement Science and Criminal Justice Certificate, National Association of Police Chiefs;
  • Florida Highway Patrol Academy;
  • University of Louisville’s Southern Police Institute;
  • Northwestern University’s Senior Management Leadership Program;
  • FBI Florida Executive Development Seminar, FBI National Academy Session 260.
Sheriff | Nassau County Sheriff's Office

Affiliations, Awards and Recognitions

  • Florida Department of Transportation “State Traffic Law Enforcement Officer of the Year” 1995.
  • Florida Law Enforcement Public Information Officers Association “Public Information Officer of the Year” 2008.
  • International Association of Chiefs of Police, “J Stannard Baker Award” for Outstanding Career Achievement in Highway Safety, 2009.
  • Northeast Florida Safety Council, “Jerry Hamm Media Award” 2009.
  • Florida Public Relations Association “Grand Image Award” 2009.
  • State of Florida “Davis Productivity Award” for state government employees whose work measurably increases productivity and promotes innovation.
  • Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles “GEM” award for outstanding achievement.
  • Northeast Florida Safety Council, Board of Directors (Past President and Chairman of the Board).
  • Columbia College-Missouri Alumni Association, Board of Directors (Past President); Columbia College-Missouri Board of Trustees Past Member.
  • Nassau County Outstanding Elected Official – 2014.
  • Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches Board of Directors (Past Chairman).
  • Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award 2018.
  • NAACP Nassau County Branch "Community Service Award" 2018.
  • Florida Sheriff's Association President 2023-2024.
  • Florida Accreditation Commission for law Enforcement Chair 2026.