Early life and career
Simmons was born in March 1964, at Naval Air Station Keflavik in Iceland, to U.S. Navy veteran Harold "Al" Simmons. [1] [2] [3] He graduated from Pine Forest High School and went on to earn his associate's degree from Pensacola State College. [2] He received a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in administration from Troy State University. [1] He later grated from the FBI National Academy. [4]
In 1984, Simmons joined the Escambia County Sheriff's Office as a correctional officer. [1] In 1986, he joined the Pensacola Police Department. While with the department, he was assigned to various specialized units including: Tactical unit, Investigations unit, Narcotics unit, and SWAT team. He was promoted through the ranks as sergeant, lieutenant, SWAT commander and captain, before serving as assistant chief for six years and as chief of police from June 11, 2010 to July 31, 2015, succeeding John W. Mathis. [1] [4] [5] [2] Simmons was succeeded by his assistant chief, David Alexander. [6]
From 2015 to 2016, Simmons served as assistant county administrator of Escambia County. [1]
In December 2016, Simmons re-joined the Escambia County Sheriff's Office as chief deputy sheriff, a position he held until his election as sheriff in 2020. [4] [5]
As chief deputy sheriff, he took part in the response to the Naval Air Station Pensacola shooting. [7] [8] [9] He spoke to ABC News about the events, saying the closer he got to the naval base, "the more gunshots I heard over the police radio." [10]
Sheriff of Escambia County (2021–present)
In November 2020, Simmons was elected sheriff, defeating Democratic nominee and former Pensacola police chief David Alexander III, with 63% of the vote. [11] On January 5, 2021, Simmons was sworn in as sheriff of Escambia County, succeeding three-term incumbent David Morgan. [3] [12]
On July 1, 2021, Kennesaw State University quarterback Ladarius Clardy, 18, of Pensacola, was murdered in a drive-by shooting. [13] [14] [15] Simmons commented on the incident, saying: "This was an intentional act. Someone fired over 50 rounds into the car, most of them into the car door, the driver's door. And the injuries that Ladarius Clardy suffered ultimately took his life". [16] [17]
As sheriff, Simmons was significantly involved in the COVID-19 pandemic response in Escambia County; presenting $1,000 bonus checks, alongside Governor Ron DeSantis, to deputies working during the pandemic. [18] [19]
In March 2022, Betty Jean McFadden, 30, was arrested for dousing gasoline on a Circle K employee while lighting and throwing matches at the victim. [20] [21] Simmons commented on the attack, saying: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and her family. This is a senseless and practically indescribable act of cruelty". [22]
In January 2024, ECSO deputy sheriff O'Brian Hill was involved in a fatal automobile accident while responding to a vehicle theft. Hill struck a van while traveling through an intersection, with his emergency lights activated. The driver of the van was thrown from the vehicle and died from his injuries, while Hill survived with serious injuries. [23] Simmons commented on the accident, saying: "We are heartbroken over this incident". [24]
Under Simmons's leadership in October 2024, the Escambia County Sheriff's Office gained national media attention after arresting Tara Alexis Sykes, 36, for a “disturbing attempted homicide.” [25] [26] According to the sheriff's office, Sykes instructed a 10-year-old child to drown an infant in the bathtub, burn the infant with scalding water, and drop the infant on the floor to kill the infant. [27] [28] [29] In a statement to the press, Simmons said: "I have been in Law Enforcement for over 40 years and have never seen anything quite like this". [25]
In October 2024, Simmons joined Governor Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo to oppose the 2024 Florida Amendment 3 ballot initiative. [30] [31]
In November 2024, Simmons was re-elected unopposed to a second term as sheriff. [32] During his campaign, he was endorsed by Governor DeSantis. [33]
In December 2024, Simmons endorsed Jimmy Patronis in the 2025 Florida's 1st congressional district special election. [34]
