T. K. Waters

T. K. Waters (born December 8, 1970) is an American law enforcement officer and politician currently serving as the 7th Sheriff of Jacksonville, Florida. A member of the Republican Party, Waters assumed office in November 2022 following a special election. He is one of five Black sheriffs serving in the state of Florida as of 2025.T. K. Waters - Wikipedia, 2025-08-13

Early Life and Education

Waters was born at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center in Fort Bliss, Texas. His father served as a Command Sergeant Major in the United States Army, and Waters spent much of his childhood moving between military bases. He graduated from Würzburg American High School in Germany and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Liberty University, with a minor in Homeland Security.JaxSheriff.org, 2025-08-13

Waters initially planned to join the United States Marine Corps, but changed course after the tragic death of his cousin in a robbery in Jacksonville in 1990. This event inspired him to pursue a career in law enforcement.T. K. Waters - Wikipedia, 2025-08-13

Law Enforcement Career

Waters joined the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO) in 1991 as a corrections officer. He graduated from the police academy in 1993 and began his career as a patrol officer. Over the next three decades, he held various roles within the department:

• 1991–1993: Corrections Officer
• 1993–1996: Patrol Officer
• 1996–1998: Narcotics Detective
• 1998–2001: Task Force and Traffic Officer
• 2001–2005: Sergeant, Traffic Enforcement
• 2005–2015: Sergeant, Homicide Division
• 2015–2019: Assistant Chief
• 2019–2022: Chief of Investigations

Waters retired from JSO in July 2022 to run for sheriff.JaxSheriff.org, 2025-08-13

Election and Tenure

Following the resignation of Sheriff Mike Williams in 2022, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Pat Ivey as interim sheriff. Waters ran in the special election and won the runoff with 55% of the vote against Lakesha Burton. He was sworn in on November 20, 2022.T. K. Waters - Wikipedia, 2025-08-13

Waters ran unopposed in the 2023 regular election, securing a full term. His administration has emphasized transparency, community engagement, and traffic safety.

Community Engagement

Waters has prioritized direct engagement with Jacksonville residents. He regularly hosts town hall meetings and neighborhood walks to address public concerns. In August 2025, he led a community walk in the Clifton neighborhood to foster dialogue between law enforcement and residents.Sheriff T.K. Waters to Lead Community Engagement Walk, 2025-08-13

He also concluded a series of town halls in 2025, focusing on traffic enforcement, violent crime reduction, and departmental transparency.Sheriff Waters wraps up town hall series, 2025-08-13

Controversies

Waters has faced criticism from community advocates over issues such as police accountability and use of force. During his final town hall in 2025, demonstrators protested the department's handling of a viral traffic stop involving William McNeil Jr. Waters defended the department’s transparency and stated that the involved officer had been stripped of law enforcement authority.Jacksonville sheriff faces protest calls for accountability, 2025-08-13Sheriff releases bodycam video, 2025-08-13

Hurricane Preparedness

In August 2025, Waters joined Senator Rick Scott and other officials to promote hurricane preparedness in Jacksonville. He urged residents to visit JaxReady.com and emphasized the importance of early planning.Sen. Rick Scott, Sheriff T.K. Waters encourage hurricane preparedness, 2025-08-13

School Safety Initiatives

Waters has worked closely with Duval County Public Schools to ensure student safety. His officers are stationed in school zones to manage traffic and respond to threats. He has advocated for cautious driving and strict enforcement of school zone regulations.Back to school in Duval, 2025-08-13

Personal Life

Waters resides in Jacksonville with his wife, Robin Brown, a retired JSO detective and current Director of Investigations for the State Attorney’s Office. They have three children and several grandchildren. Waters is known for his commitment to faith, family, and public service.JaxSheriff.org, 2025-08-13

See Also

• Jacksonville Sheriff's Office
• Duval County, Florida
• Law enforcement in Florida

External Links

• Jacksonville Sheriff's Office – Official Site
• T. K. Waters – Wikipedia