Columbia County Sheriff reflects on 16 year career on final day

LAKE CITY, Fla. (WCJB) - Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter is spending his last day in office after 16 years.

The incoming sheriff, Wallace Kitchings, will be sworn in at 5 PM, but Hunter will officially remain in office until midnight. “I just want to thank Columbia County for the opportunities I have been afforded here,” said Hunter.

Hunter expressed pride in his 16 years of service, highlighting the department’s partnership with the Florida Sheriffs Association and the ability to adapt to changes in law enforcement.

“Growing the agency with the community has been challenging because the needs change. We’ve faced mental health challenges with law enforcement and we had to revamp training the techniques that we use with the technology. You know coming into the 21st century as we talked about when I first got into office we talked about moving this agency to be able to handle those challenges that’s what I’m most proud of,” said Hunter.

Throughout his career, Hunter implemented a resource deputy in every school, expanded the jail, secured accreditation from the Florida Sheriffs Association, and initiated the construction of a new evidence crime scene building.

“This gives us a quicker return on a crime as far as being able to get resolution, or solving the crimes because we don’t have to depend on the lab over in Tallahassee which sometimes takes several months,” said Hunter.

Hunter mentioned he has met with incoming Sheriff Kitchings to ensure a smooth transition.

“My obligation when the people elected me was to the Columbia County sheriff’s office and the community. My job is to make it better than when I got it, and I think we’ve done that. We have other agencies that look at us and say, ‘Man how do you guys do that?’ That to me is priceless.”

Hunter says he’s not sure what’s next for his professional career but is open to remaining in public service.

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