Sheriff T.K. Waters

Proudly serving the citizens of Jacksonville, FL. Committed to making our city a safer place.

[Jax Sheriff's Office @JSOPIO]

𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐟 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
We understand there’s a lot of interest in the work we do. There’s a lot happening in Jacksonville, and our officers and detectives are on the front lines every day, often in complex and dangerous situations.

Sheriff T.K. Waters addressed questions today about recent officer-involved shootings, the risks law enforcement face, and JSO’s Internal Affairs process.

This clip highlights the Sheriff’s response to a question from a local media outlet regarding the use of force during the William McNeill Jr. traffic stop.

You can watch the full 30-minute interview, where the Sheriff addresses additional questions about transparency, policies, and investigations here: https://t.co/7HKkC9xROZ

[Jax Sheriff's Office @JSOPIO]

𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒: 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐍 𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃
22 children. That’s how many missing children our team located earlier this month during Operation Home for the Holidays, led by the US Marshals. We worked alongside the Marshals, FBI, and other local law enforcement partners to find missing children and bring them home.

Our cameras were rolling when our detectives found two teenage girls who had been missing for weeks. We’re now able to get them the support they need.

It’s not just these operations. We have dedicated Missing Persons Unit detectives who work year-round locating children. It doesn’t matter if they’ve been missing for an hour or a year, we won’t stop until we find them.

Remember, harboring runaways is a crime. If you know the location of a child who may be reported missing, call us immediately. You can also call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1.800.THE.LOST

[Attorney General James Uthmeier @AGJamesUthmeier]

Thanks to our emergency rule and the hard work of the @FDACS, nearly 18,000 dangerous 7-OH products have been wiped off the shelves.

We will continue to protect our kids from this poison that carries a high risk for abuse and death.

https://t.co/Wh48WLsyLZ

[Jax Sheriff's Office @JSOPIO]

𝐒𝐄𝐗 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐁𝐄𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐃 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐒
Your Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office detectives have arrested 56-year-old David Binz. This convicted sex offender is now facing 8 felonies related to sex offender requirement violations. Our detectives continue to investigate to determine if more charges are warranted.

JSO Internet Crimes Against Children detectives launched their investigation immediately after learning of the allegations. Detectives continue to investigate. This evening, ICAC teamed up with the Offender Tracking Unit to take him into custody.

In this case, a private citizen developed his own inquiry and only contacted law enforcement at the last minute on Sunday. We want to be clear: vigilante investigations are dangerous. They can spread false information, compromise evidence, and put victims or bystanders at greater risk.

We are also aware of incorrect information being shared on social media, including claims that officers did not seize the suspect’s phone during the initial investigation. That claim is false. Officers seized the phone and have searched it for potential evidence while working alongside our partners at the State Attorney’s Office.

Protecting children is a top priority. Only trained law enforcement officers should conduct these investigations. Well meaning citizens may inadvertently jeopardize the ability to successfully arrest and prosecute criminals by conducting vigilante investigations.

If you have information related to potential child exploitation, please report it directly to law enforcement.

[Jax Sheriff's Office @JSOPIO]

𝟐𝟏-𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫-𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝟕-𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫-𝐎𝐥𝐝’𝐬 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞
If you commit crimes in our community, we will make sure you’re held fully accountable for your actions.

21-year-old Keith Johnson is now facing a second murder charge. If the name sounds familiar, he is one of the six young men facing murder charges for the death of 7-year-old Breon Allen earlier this year.

Johnson is now charged with another murder, 43-year-old Valondia Norris back in April of 2024. He was originally arrested for accessory after the fact and tampering with evidence in this case. After completing a very thorough investigation, your #JSO Homicide detectives had enough evidence to arrest Johnson for Norris’ murder.

21-year-old Dannel Larkins is also charged with Norris’ and Breon’s murders. He was arrested again last week for a third murder. Johnson and Larkins continue to be behind bars at the Duval County jail.

Our agency is committed to working with our partners at the State Attorney’s Office to ensure justice is served in every case Johnson and Larkins are involved.

[Rick Scott @SenRickScott]

Families across our beautiful Sunshine State know too well that you cannot be complacent during Hurricane Season.

Today, I joined community leaders in Jacksonville to remind every Florida family to make a plan today to keep their loved ones safe!

[Jax Sheriff's Office @JSOPIO]

𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐟 𝐓.𝐊. 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬
“Our hearts go out to the soldiers affected by the senseless active shooter incident at Fort Stewart Army Post in Georgia. Jacksonville is a proud military town, and with the base just two hours away, we feel especially connected to this tragedy. We pray for the recovery of the 5 soldiers injured and for our military family as a whole.

The River City is home to two Naval bases, and we continue to work closely with their leaders to ensure the safety of all. This is another reminder to remain vigilant: if you see something suspicious, say something. Together, we can make a difference in keeping our communities safe.”

-Sheriff T.K. Waters

[Sheriff T.K. Waters @jsosheriff]

This guy should've listened when @smokey_bear said don't play with fire. Great work by our partners at FL Ag law enforcement!

[Wilton Simpson @WiltonSimpson]

What happens when dumb criminals poke the bear?

Our Ag Law Team has a suspect in custody who traveled from Pensacola to Orlando stealing Smoky Bear signs from our state forests and selling them on Facebook Marketplace for $1,900 each. Big thank you to @smokey_bear for personally assisting in the arrest.

[Sheriff T.K. Waters @jsosheriff]

Today I had the privilege of swearing in DJ Daniel as an Honorary JSO Deputy. His story and dedication to public service inspire us all!

[Jax Sheriff's Office @JSOPIO]

Welcome to Duval, Travis Hunter! Sheriff Waters and your JSO really want to escort the Jaguars to a Super Bowl. Let’s make it happen!

[Jax Sheriff's Office @JSOPIO]

𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑
Leaving the hospital with the support of his team, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Officer A.C. Gaulding continues to recover from getting shot during a traffic stop last Wednesday morning. Fellow officers and friends cheered him on as he left UF Health post-surgery on Thursday, a day after a man wearing body armor armed with a rifle and handgun shot him in the foot. Officer Gaulding returned fire, killing the shooter. The case remains under investigation.

We’d like to thank our wonderful community for the support for our officer during this difficult time, especially the medical professionals at UF Health and our brothers and sisters at Jacksonville Fire and Rescue.

Please join us in wishing Officer Gaulding the absolute best as he heals.

[Sheriff T.K. Waters @jsosheriff]

Our city is growing, and with that growth comes the need for a law enforcement infrastructure that meets today’s challenges while preparing for the future. This project will ensure we remain well-equipped to protect and serve for generations to come. https://t.co/fpcLxc5j4H

[FOP5-30 @TheRealFOP530]

1/2 A day of fellowship and lunch for 200 of our members. Just a way to celebrate and thank them for all the work they accomplished to help reduce the violent crime in Jacksonville last year.

One of the special parts of today was the fact it was former Mayor Lenny Curry

[Sheriff T.K. Waters @jsosheriff]

A visible, proactive police presence is essential to deterring crime and promoting an environment where people feel safe and secure.

[News4JAX @wjxt4]

In recent months, beefed-up patrols to reduce criminal elements and keep people safe are happening as downtown is slowly redeveloped.

https://t.co/cObtn1ISTC

[Florida’s Voice @FLVoiceNews]

WATCH: Sheriff of Jacksonville T.K. Waters (@jsosheriff) discusses his role under Florida's new immigration control system

"It's high time that we begin to take care of this issue. The last administration didn't want to."

[Sheriff T.K. Waters @jsosheriff]

I’m grateful to House Speaker @Daniel_PerezFL for trusting me to help keep Florida families safe. Together, we will continue leading the way on this important issue.

[News4JAX @wjxt4]

Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez has appointed Duval County Sheriff T.K. Waters to serve on the State Immigration Enforcement Council, a newly created entity signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Feb. 13. https://t.co/eknjuZmu4v

[Jax Sheriff's Office @JSOPIO]

Guess who’s back on the bike!? 🏍️

Yep, that’s your sheriff, T.K. Waters! He spent the early years of his career on the #JSO Motor Unit and jumped back on the Harley just for the motorcycle rodeo.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Bring your family and cheer on JSO’s Motor Unit this Saturday at EverBank Stadium! 🏟️ The opening ceremony starts at 8 AM, and the event is FREE and packed with fun!

JSO will be competing against more than a dozen other agencies, keeping their skills sharp for this important job.

See you Saturday! 👋 (And don’t tell the Sheriff we shared this video of him practicing! 🤫)

[Nick Howland @NickHowland15]

@TFreemanJax and I were proud tonight to present @jsosheriff with a signed Council resolution celebrating @JSOPIO’s remarkable 52% reduction in murders from 2023 to 2024. While even one is too many, this is a tremendous achievement! Thanks to the JSO heroes who keep our streets and neighborhoods safe every day!

[Terrance Freeman @TFreemanJax]

Historic progress by JSO! Proud to stand with my colleague @NickHowland15 as the Council officially recognizes @jsosheriff T.K. Waters and @JSOPIO for delivering record-low crime rates last year. Jacksonville is safer thanks to their leadership!

[Sheriff T.K. Waters @jsosheriff]

Felt good to get back on the motor today for a couple practice laps.