An era spanning 20 years is coming to an end: Citrus County Sheriff Jeff Dawsy is retiring.

  • Mike Prendergast was elected Citrus Sheriff
  • His predecessor served for more than 20 years
  • Prendergast says he'll be tough on drug crime

Residents elected a new sheriff, Mike Prendergast, last Tuesday.

Prendergast and his wife have spent the past week getting to know the 141,000 residents of Citrus County a little better.  

"Naomi and I have dedicated our lives as adults to serving others," said Prendergast, "and it’s great to have the ability now to serve the folks right here where we live."

 Prendergast says he plans to bring his 31 years of active duty military experience to the department.

“I want to take some of those best practices that I’ve learned not only working for the state for five-and-a-half years, but over the course of 31 years in the military and see what best practices I can bring from my portfolio of experience and take those to this agency.”

He said he'll focus first on tackling the local drug problem.

“We want to take a task force orientated approach to that, but not only internal to the county,” said Prendergast. “We want to work with our partners to the north to the south to the east, from the local sheriff’s offices, and work with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.”

Prendergast says he also intends to work with the state on traffic issues. He has long-term goals of bringing the department to a new level and making the community a safer place to live.

“As for the criminals, as I’ve said it before, you better find another place to go because I’m coming after the criminals," said Prebdergast. "Especially the drug dealers who have found a niche here in Citrus County."

Prendergast will be sworn in January 3. He will be the 12th person to hold the position.