Sheriff James F. Potter (R)
Arcadia
Education
North Shore High School, Glen Head, N.Y.; Florida Highway Patrol Training Academy Military US. Air Force, security police, 1981 – 1985.
Military
U.S. Air Force, security police, 1981-1985.
Career
Ft. Walton Beach Police Department Auxiliary, 1985; Florida Highway Patrol: trooper, 1986-1990, sergeant, 1990-2000, Lieutenant, 2000-2010, captain, Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Intelligence, 2010-2014, retired as major, 2014; Elected Sheriff of DeSoto County, 2016; re-elected 2020.
Honors and Affiliations
Arcadia Kiwanis Club, past president; Mason-Peace River Lodge No 66; American Legion Post 11, member; Leadership DeSoto Class IV graduate, Chamber of Commerce of DeSoto, Inc., director, DeSoto County Historical Society, member; DeSoto County High School Top Dog Booster; Rotary Club of Arcadia Inc., member, Jim Space Community Playground Rebuild Team, captain; Upward Soccer Coach, 2003-2008; Florida Sheriff’s Association; Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches, Arcadia All Championship Rodeo Association, member; Florida Cattleman’s Association, member; Farm Bureau, member; National Wildlife Turkey Federation, member.
