8/7/23 @ 4:50 p.m. - Project Opioid Jax, Callahan First Baptist Church, LSF Health Systems, Community Coalition Alliance and the Nassau County Coalition for Community Health have partnered to bring an Overdose Awareness Seminar which will discuss the overdose crisis in Nassau County and what we can all do to help.

The event will take place on Thursday, August 31st from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at the Callahan Baptist Church located at 45090 Green Avenue. Guest speakers include Undersheriff, Jon Hooper; Nassau County's Assistant Fire Chief, Greg Roland; Dr. Scott Miles of Coast Community Health; and Nassau County School Superintendent, Dr. Kathy Burns. There is no cost to participate, however registration is required. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer 

Get to know Sheriff Leeper better during this latest edition of the Florida Sheriff's Association podcast. Sheriff Leeper was sworn in FSA’s 101st president on Tuesday, July 25, 2023.

FSA Announcement:

In Episode 86, we dive into the mind and history of Sheriff Leeper:

• How did Sheriff Leeper get to where he is today as Sheriff of Nassau County?
• What are the biggest challenges facing law enforcement and public safety?
• What would you tell a young adult or child interested in a law enforcement career?
• What are the goals for Sheriff Leeper during his term as President of the FSA?
• What is Sheriff Leeper's secret talent?

To listen to the podcast, please click here​

5/17/23 @ 12:45 p.m. - 

May 15th was designated by Presidential Proclamation in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy, as Peace Officer Memorial Day and the week in which it falls as National Police Week. This was designated to honor those officers, Federal, State and local, who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty. National Police Week has become widely recognized throughout the United States of America as a new way for the citizenry to pay tribute and express their gratitude to those who serve and to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. 

Since the first recorded death in 1786, there have been 23,785 law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice and were killed in the line of duty. In the Spring of 2023, 556 new names of fallen heroes were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, including 224 killed in 2022.

​To date, Nassau County has suffered the loss of 13 law enforcement officers, heroes who have fallen in the line of duty, including 8 from the Nassau County Sheriff's Office, 1 from the City of Fernandina Beach Police Department, 1 Florida Highway Patrol Officer, 2 from the Florida Department of Agriculture, and 1 Hilliard Constable. 

At today's Board of County Commissioners meeting, the Board approved Resolution No. 2023-110 proclaiming the week of May 14 - May 20, 2023 as National Police Week and Monday, May 15, 2023 as Peace Officers Memorial Day in Nassau County, Florida. Representatives from the Nassau County Sheriff's Office and City of Fernandina Beach Police Department were in attendance for the reading of the Resolution. 

The Board commends all law enforcement personnel for their service and dedication to Nassau County and its residents. Nassau County residents are encouraged to thank a law enforcement officer this week for all they do to keep our community safe from violence and disorder. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

4/21/23 @ 5:00 p.m. - Below is an update on the Bryceville Fire from the 4:00 pm briefing. 

• Fortunately, fire activity was minimal today and great progress was made
• It will probably be another day or two before we have the final count on acres burned but it is still believed to be around 1600 acres 
• The Division of Forestry will be deploying strike teams tomorrow and through the weekend to address hot spots
• NCFR will provide supplemental tanker trucks to support operations through the remainder of the incident  
• Roads have been reopened. However, NCSO will be patrolling through the evening. If the smoke settles back in and visibility is compromised then road closures will be reinstated as needed   

​
-Sabrina Robertson 
 Public Information Officer

4/21/23 @ 10:00 a.m. - First responders have been fighting a brush fire in Bryceville since yesterday afternoon. The Florida Forest Service is the lead agency, however Nassau County Fire Rescue and the Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department are assisting. The cause of the fire has not been determined and is currently being investigated. 

As of 9:30 a.m. this morning, the fire is at 1600 acres and 50% contained. No evacuation orders have been issued. Units have been strategically placed near any homes that could potentially be threatened so that first responders can act quickly, if needed. 

First responders currently have their food needs met today thanks to the Red Cross, however drinks are always appreciated. Anyone wishing to donate water, Gatorade, etc. can deliver them to Station 60 located at 8291 US Highway 301, Bryceville. 

County Road 121 is closed to motorists however individuals who live in the area will be allowed to pass by showing proof of residency. If you are in the area today, please be kind to the officers working. They are hot... they are tired... they are stressed... and unfortunately, some of our residents have not been the nicest to them. They are trying to do a job and trying to keep everyone safe. They are not there to ruin your day. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer 

4/20/23 @ 2:15 p.m. - On Wednesday, April 20, 2023, Nassau County Animal Services took several adoptable pets to the Nassau County Sheriff's Office for a meet and greet. The Sheriff's employees were all smiles as they took a few minutes to snuggle these cuties. Meet and greets are not only fun, they give the animals an opportunity to get out of the kennels and socialize. 

We appreciate the Sheriff employees for taking time out of their busy schedules to show these pets some love. One kitten, Dizzy, found himself a new foster home with Deputy Director of Emergency Management, Martha Oberdorfer. A love match was also made with Officer Chuck Reagor and Cube. We are hopeful that Officer Chuck will decide he can't live without Cube and that they will be reunited soon. 

Next time you're looking for a pet, please consider the great dogs and cats at Nassau County Animal Services. Remember "Adopt, Don't Shop".

Contact Information: 
Nassau County Animal Services
​86078 License Road
​Yulee, FL 32097
Phone: (904) 530-6150
​
Visiting Hours: 
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 11am-4pm
Wednesday: 1pm-6pm
Saturday, Sunday: 11am-4pm

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

4/12/23 @ 10:45 a.m. - At the Monday, April 10th meeting, the Board approved Resolution No. 2023-029, proclaiming the week of April 9 - April 15, 2023 as "National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week" in Nassau County, Florida. 

The second full week of April was declared as National Public safety Telecommunicators Week by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America and has been observed in the U.S. since 1981. 

When an emergency occurs, prompt response of law enforcement, fire services and ambulance services is critical to the protection of life and property. Thanks to the efforts of the Sheriff's Telecommunicators, 9-1-1 calls are answered by a professional who is calm and compassionate and services are dispatched quickly and efficiently. 

This week, we honor the men and women whose diligence and professionalism keep our county and citizens safe. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

Nassau County Emergency Management & the Nassau County Sheriff's Office has coordinated a presentation to teach participants what to do if they find themselves in an active shooter event. Topics include the history and prevalence of active shooter events, the role of law enforcement, and civilian response options.

This event is open to individuals 16+ and will take place on Thursday, April 25th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Yulee Middle School.

Register here. 

If you have any questions, please contact Jamie McCormick at (904) 206-3262.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/24/23 @ 10:35 p.m. 

The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with Winn Dixie in Hilliard to host Nassau Night Out on Thursday, March 30th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Come and meet members of the Nassau County Sheriff's Office and learn more about their work within the community.

Crime prevention information will be provided and other community groups will be there as well such as: Skittles the Clown, the Instrument Zoo, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), Micah's Place, One More Child, Salvation Army, Women's Center of Jacksonville, Boys and Girls Club of Nassau, Family Support Services as well as Nassau County Fire-Rescue and MORE!

The Sheriff's Office has indicated that they will also have scent kits and Autism stickers available on site!

If you have any questions, please contact the Sheriff's Office at (904) 225-0331.

-Sabrina Robertson 
 Public Information Officer

1/9/23 @ 9:15 a.m. - 

Please see the below message from the Nassau County Sheriff's Office: 

The Nassau County Sheriff’s Citizens Academy is now taking applications for county residents who would like to attend an eight week class to learn more about NCSO. The Academy will provide attendees a transparent look at what the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office does in detail by explaining our procedures and why the agency functions the way it does.

This FREE program gives adults 18 and older a behind the scenes look at Sheriff’s Office operations through hands-on participation and expert speakers. It's conducted in a classroom setting, as well as “in-the-field" utilizing instructors from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines. The Citizen’s Academy is designed to provide members of the community with the opportunity to gain specific knowledge about the workings of the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office and a general insight into the field of law enforcement. The program is informational only and does not train or promote citizens to act in a law enforcement capacity. The Academy is eight weeks, every Thursday night anticipated to begin February 2nd. One of the classes will be held on a Saturday morning for residents to see firsthand what we do, including time at the gun range.

Interested residents should contact Nicole Maddox at [email protected] or 904-548-4020.
The application is posted on our website: nassauso.com, under the programs tab click Citizens Academy.

A direct link to that page is here: http://nassauso.com/programs/citizens-academy/

11/9/22 @ 2:15 p.m. - 
 
The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office and Nassau County Emergency Management have coordinated a Press Conference for 3:30 p.m. today. All news channels have been invited. As of 2:00 p.m. today, Channel 4, First Coast News and Action News Jax have responded that they will be in attendance.
​
If you have any questions, please contact Nassau County Emergency Management at (904) 548-0900.
 
Information related to the storm can also be found at www.OneNassau.com Follow Emergency Management on social media at www.facebook.com/NassauEM or at www.twitter.com/NassauEM. 

UPDATE: 9/8/22 @ 9:00 a.m.
The light was operational as of approximately 8:30 yesterday evening. However, the sidewalk at the entrance of the Goodwill shopping plaza is still closed as employees from the Traffic Division will be back on site today working on some remaining issues. Please continue to drive cautiously while in the area. We will let everyone know when the issue is completely resolved. 


9/7/22 @ 4:35 p.m. - The County's Traffic Division has been working all day to resolve an issue with the red light at Barnwell Road and State Road 200. They have been and will continue working on this until it is repaired. Right now, the light is in flashing mode for eastbound and westbound lanes. Motorists are urged to use caution in the area. 

The Nassau County Sheriff's Office has been to the site and has installed safety cones as a slowing mechanism. They have also added cones to the turn lanes. PLEASE DO NOT MOVE THEM! You will still be able to turn (with caution) from the main eastbound/westbound lanes. Without a functioning light, there is no turn light, thus there's no turn lane. Anyone seen moving or altering the cones may be issued a citation by the Sheriff's Office. Please note that the Sheriff's Office are experts in traffic control and have implemented measures that based on their knowledge and expertise will increase motorist safety. Please trust their judgement!

Lastly, our Traffic Division staff have been working tirelessly all day trying to resolve the problem. If you see them, please be kind. They are hot and tired and doing everything they can to resolve this matter as quickly as possible. 

Thank you for your patience. We will notify everyone as soon as the light has been restored and is functioning properly. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

7/14/22 @ 9:55 a.m. - Yesterday, the Board of County Commissioners and Nassau County Sheriff's Office hosted a Ribbon Cutting and Firing of First Shot Ceremony for Phase One of the Public Safety Training Center which consists of two new gun ranges, restrooms and a temporary parking area. 

The event began with a welcome message by Board Chairman, Jeff Gray. He stated, "In 2016, Sheriff Leeper identified a need for a modern training facility for public safety personnel. However, not only did he identify a need, he came to us with a plan for funding utilizing monies earned from the U.S. Marshall Service for housing federal inmates at the Nassau County Detention Center. In January 2017, the Board dedicated 40 acres of County-owned property for the future facility. We broke ground on March 21, 2021 and progress has been steady. Our public safety personnel are dedicated to protecting the lives and property of Nassau County residents and they are deserving of a site where they can maximize their skills through training and participate in exercises consisting of realistic events to help them prepare for future incidents. This site provides those opportunities and will serve our public safety personnel for many years to come". 

Following the Chairman's welcome message, Sheriff Leeper spoke. He stated, "This new gun range will allow Nassau County Sheriff's Office Deputies to train better, train smarter and train more often. We will also be able to train with other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. This is a professional range, one that is compliant with the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission and one our deputies can be proud of".  

Sheriff Leeper expressed his gratitude to Secretary of State (formerly State Representative) Cord Byrd and Senator Aaron Bean for their hard work in securing Legislative funding for Phase Two of the Facility which will include a training classroom building, storage building, and paved parking lot. "This building is pivotal for the development of training complex, which will eventually house our training unit. It will be a state-of-the art building with office space, a dispatch training room, several classrooms, a mat room, strength and conditioning room, as well as an airnasium for outdoor training", stated Sheriff Leeper. 

The Facility will eventually have a less lethal and de-escalation training room, a shoot house, a jail training facility, a burn building, fire training tower, canine training and tracking area with kennels, special response team obstacle course, a pond for diving and boating rescue training and other endless possibilities. 

In his closing comments, Sheriff Leeper stated, "As we conduct this ribbon cutting ceremony today,  remember that this is just the beginning of the future of training public safety in Nassau County, which will ultimately provide better services to our residents. And who knows, if we dream big enough, we might just start our own Nassau County Law Enforcement Academy right here. Or what about a Nassau County Public Safety Police and Fire Training Academy? Wouldn't that be something". 

Following the presentation, Sheriff Leeper performed the ceremonial ribbon cutting with the five County Commissioners and County Manager by his side. Then, Sheriff Leeper fired the first shot at the gun range. 

We appreciate everyone who took time to celebrate this milestone with us yesterday. We look forward to celebrating with you again as future phases are completed. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

6/13/22 @ 10:40 a.m. 

In January 2017, the Board of County Commissioners dedicated 40 acres of County-owned property for a Public Safety Training Center to be used by public safety personnel. Long term plans for the center include gun ranges, training rooms, a mock jail, K-9 training area with kennels, an SRT training obstacle course, shoot house, dive-team training pond, Fire/Rescue training area (with classroom, training tower, railcar prop, semi/fuel prop) and other possibilities as future needs develop.

A Groundbreaking Ceremony was held on March 21, 2021, to celebrate the commencement of construction. The first phase of the Public Safety Training Center consisting of gun ranges and temporary parking is now complete. To celebrate, the Board will host a Ribbon Cutting for Phase One and Firing of the First Shot Ceremony on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the site’s location at 153322 County Road 108, Yulee, FL. The public is invited to attend.

Phase Two of the project will commence in the very near future and will include construction of the classroom building with airnaseum, a storage building, and resurfacing of the parking lot.

If you have any questions, please contact the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office at (904) 225-0331.