Dennis Lemma

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Dennis Lemma
Official portrait of Sheriff Dennis Lemma.png
Official portrait, 2025
10th Sheriff of Seminole County
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2017
Military service
Branch/service United States Marine Corps
Police career
Allegiance Flag of Seminole County, Florida.svg Seminole County
Department Seminole County Sheriff's Office
Service years1992–present
Rank 4 Gold Stars.svg Sheriff

Dennis M. Lemma (born November 18, 1971) is an American politician, law enforcement officer, and Marine Corps veteran who has served as the 10th sheriff of Seminole County, Florida since 2017. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as chief deputy sheriff before his election.

Contents

Early life and career

Lemma was born on November 18, 1971. [1] He earned his bacherlor's degree from Columbia College and received his master's degree from the University of Oklahoma. [2] Lemma is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and served in the United States Marine Corps. [2]

In 1992, Lemma joined the Seminole County Sheriff's Office, beginning his career as a correctional officer. [3] He served as the sheriff's office's primary spokesperson and received promotions from the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, captain, major and chief deputy prior to becoming sheriff. [4]

Sheriff of Seminole County (2017–present)

In August 2015, longtime county sheriff Donald F. Eslinger announced he would not seek re-election in 2016 and "all but endorsed" Lemma for the position. [5] [6] Lemma was the only candidate to qualify for the election and was declared sheriff-elect in June 2016. [7] [1] On January 3, 2017, he was sworn in as the 10th sheriff of Seminole County. [1]

As sheriff, he was significantly involved in the COVID-19 pandemic response in Seminole County; enforcing mandatory curfews and mask mandates. [8] [9] Lemma also served during the George Floyd protests, responding by increasing minority recruiting. [10] [11]

In 2020, Lemma was re-elected to a second term, defeating Democratic nominee Paul "Spike" Hopkins, with 58% of the vote. [12]

Lemma being sworn in to his third term as Seminole County sheriff, 2025 Dennis M. Lemma sworn in for third term as Sheriff of Seminole County.jpg
Lemma being sworn in to his third term as Seminole County sheriff, 2025

In 2024, Lemma was re-elected unopposed to a third term as sheriff. [13] [14]

Personal life

Lemma is married to his wife, Diana; they have two sons, Dylan and Dayne, and live in Oviedo, Florida. [3] [1] In 2023, Dylan Lemma was arrested in Seminole County for reckless driving and fleeing from sheriff's deputies. [15] [16] Sheriff Lemma commented on the arrest, saying: "I firmly believe that my family should be held to the same standard as anyone else in the community, and while I love my son and family dearly, they, too, are not above the law." [17]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Powers, Scott (June 24, 2016). "Dennis Lemma declared sheriff-elect of Seminole County". Florida Politics . Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Sheriff Dennis M. Lemma". Florida Sheriffs Association . Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Dennis Lemma". camaraderiefoundation.org. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Meet Sheriff Dennis M. Lemma". seminolesheriff.org. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  5. ↑ Fox, Greg (August 26, 2015). "Seminole County sheriff announces retirement". WESH . Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Donald F. Eslinger" (PDF). aif.com. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  7. ↑ Powers, Scott (February 3, 2016). "Dennis Lemma qualifies for ballot in Seminole sheriff race". Florida Politics . Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Seminole County mask mandate in effect; protest planned to take place in Sanford". WESH . July 1, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  9. ↑ von Ancken, Erik (June 30, 2020). "Seminole County requiring residents to wear masks as COVID-19 continues to spread". WKMG-TV . Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  10. ↑ von Ancken, Erik (September 16, 2020). "Seminole County Sheriff's Office recruiting, sponsoring minority candidates". WKMG-TV . Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  11. ↑ Brieskorn, Katlyn (May 29, 2020). "'It's very concerning': Local law enforcement share concern regarding Minneapolis incident". WFTV . Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma wins re-election". WKMG-TV . November 3, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  13. ↑ Greenberg, Lara (November 3, 2024). "Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma wins re-election". WOGX . Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  14. ↑ Zizo, Christie (June 14, 2024). "4 Central Florida sheriffs reelected without opposition, while 4 others face opponents". WKMG-TV . Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  15. ↑ Medina, Dani (July 20, 2023). "Florida sheriff's son was allegedly racing with another car before bolting from traffic stop: affidavit". WOFL . Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  16. ↑ Munoz, Luana (July 19, 2023). "Seminole County sheriff's 19-year-old son arrested". WESH . Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  17. ↑ Kelly, Jason (July 20, 2023). "'Not above the law': Seminole County sheriff's son arrested on fleeing, reckless driving charges". WFTV . Retrieved February 16, 2025.
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