Knuckles announces candidacy for Sheriff

Dear citizens of Gilchrist County:
My name is Leonard Knuckles and I am pleased to announce my candidacy for Sheriff. I am 54 years old and have been married to my loving wife Linda Overstreet Knuckles for over 29 years. We have been blessed with two wonderful daughters. Lindsay (Bradley) Stubblefield is a registered nurse at Shands Hospital. Leandra attends Saint Leo University and will graduate in May 2012 with a teaching degree. I have lived and worked in Gilchrist County all my life and am a 1976 graduate of Trenton High School.
I began my career at Lancaster Correctional Institution in 1977, serving over 30 years then retiring in 2008. While employed at Lancaster I completed the Law Enforcement Academy in 1985 at Lake City Community College. I began working as a part-time Deputy Sheriff with the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office in 1985 and have served the citizens of Gilchrist County under our different sheriffs. I am currently serving as the Administrative Lieutenant. This experience has allowed me to see the enormous responsibility and many challenges that come with being the sheriff. It has also enabled me to develop my own vision, where I would like to take the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office in the future.
It is important for the next sheriff to be an experienced deputy. Also, he needs to be someone with a fresh perspective of the office, its employees, and the vital role it exemplifies in the community. As your Sheriff, I will take a strong and tough stand against crime in the community, including a concentrated focus on the illegal drug epidemic plaguing our county and state, as well as the property crimes that always accompany illicit drug use. I will be fair, understanding, dedicated, and honest. I will always keep an open door policy to the citizens of the county. As your Sheriff, I am confident that together we can accomplish these things. I will assure that every member of the GCSO will work hard to exceed your expectations.
In the next several months, I plan to travel across the county to as many homes as possible. I will personally listen to your concerns and share my vision of where the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office should go from here.
I respectfully ask you for your support in the upcoming election and thank you in advance for your consideration.
Please feel free to contact me with your questions or concerns via website at LeonardKnucklesforSheriff.com.
Leonard Knuckles