JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As Jacksonville Sheriff's Office's held its monthly meritorious awards ceremony, outgoing Sheriff John Rutherford received as much attention as those he was honoring.
After three terms as Jacksonville's top cop, Rutherford will leave office next week.
Rutherford held many positions within the department, working his way up from patrolman to corrections officer to chief of special operations.
"It's been very rewarding and I have to tell you, for 41 years serving this agency as a law enforcement officer, this job as you know led me to the lord and became my ministry," Rutherford said after the ceremony.
Mike Williams was elected last month to be the next sheriff. He will be sworn in during a joint ceremony with Mayor-elect Lenny Curry on July 1.
Rutherford said he has discussed with Williams his hopes for holding the line of issues of integrity and being able to make the really tough decisions you have to make, along with community relationships and building and strengthening those relationships in the community.
Rutherford said he is not done with politics. He is considering a run for the 6th Congressional District seat that will open next year. Until then, he plans to travel and spend time with his wife.
Rutherford wants to share with the people of Jacksonville how honored and humbling it has been to have this awesome responsibility bestowed upon him 12 years ago as sheriff.
"Literally there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about that opportunity and what it's given me," Rutherford said.
Four officers and two civilians were honored at Thursday's ceremony:
- Police Officer Billy Reinert and Police Sgt. Rickie Valentine will be recognized for their team effort that led to the arrest of two Armed Carjacking suspects in October 2014.
- Corrections Sgt. Kenneth Westberry was recognized for his leadership role overseeing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Unit at the jail.
- Police Officer Michael Meissner was honored for his quick actions that led to saving an individual's life earlier this year.
- Rutherford also recognized Lauren Papke and Courtney Peterson from Wolfson Children's Rehabilitation Services. These two women developed and provided a free training program to aid officers in the quick recovery of a child with autism who goes missing.