Sheriff Bill Leeper (R)
Yulee
Education
Fernandina Beach High School; AS degree, Vincennes University; AA degree, Florida Community College, Jacksonville, FL; BA degree, Columbia College, MO; Law Enforcement Science and Criminal Justice Certificate, National Association of Police Chiefs; Florida Highway Patrol Academy; Southern Police Institute, University of Louisville; Senior Management Leadership Program, Northwestern University, FBI National Academy, Session 260.
Career
Retired captain, Florida Highway Patrol, 35 years; small business owner, 33 years; former city commissioner, Mayor, Fernandina Beach, Fla., two terms; elected Sheriff of Nassau County, 2012; re-elected in 2016 and 2020.
Honors and Affiliations
“State Traffic Law Enforcement Officer of the Year," Florida Department of Transportation, 1995; “PIO of the Year,” Florida Law Enforcement Public Information Officers Association, 2008; “J. Stannard Baker Award” for outstanding career achievement in highway safety, International Association of Chiefs of Police, 2009; “Jerry Hamm Media Award,” Northeast Florida Safety Council, 2009; “Grand Image Award,” Florida Public Relations Association, 2009; “Davis Productivity Award” for state government employees whose work measurably increases productivity and promotes innovation, State of Florida; “GEM” Award for outstanding achievement, Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles; board of directors, Florida Sheriffs Association; board of directors, Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches; past president, Northeast Florida Safety Council; past president, Columbia College of Missouri National Alumni Association; chairman, Nassau County Community Traffic Safety Team; past president, Fernandina Beach High School Quarterback Club; past commissioner, Fernandina Beach Pop Warner Football/Cheerleading Association; author, “Highway of Horror”; Fernandina Beach High School Hall of Fame, 2006; drafted by New York Mets and played professional minor league baseball, 1971, Nassau County’s “Top 50 Athletes” from 1949 – 1999, Fernandina Beach News Leader; Nassau County Outstanding Elected Official, 2014.
