Ric Bradshaw

• Palm Beach Atlantic University (BS)
• Lynn University (MSA)

Ric Bradshaw
Official portrait
16th Sheriff of Palm Beach County
Incumbent
Assumed office January 4, 2005
Military service
Branch/service	United States Marine Corps
Police career
Allegiance	West Palm Beach, Florida Palm Beach County
Department	West Palm Beach Police Department Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office
Service years	1976–2004 2005–present
Rank	Chief Sheriff

Ric L. Bradshaw (born March 14, 1948) is an American politician, law enforcement officer, and Marine Corps veteran who has served as the 16th sheriff of Palm Beach County, Florida since 2005. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as chief of the West Palm Beach Police Department from 1996 to 2004. He is the longest-serving sheriff of Palm Beach County.

Early life and career

Bradshaw was born on March 14, 1948. ^[1] He graduated from Lake Worth High School and went on to earn his bachelor's degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University and his master's degree from Lynn University. ^[2] Bradshaw served in the United States Marine Corps. ^[2]

Bradshaw joined the West Palm Beach Police Department in 1976 and rose through the ranks before being appointed chief of police in 1996. ^[3]

Sheriff of Palm Beach County (2005–present)

Bradshaw was elected sheriff in November 2004, succeeding Edward W. Bieluch. ^[4] On January 4, 2005, he was sworn into office as the 16th sheriff of Palm Beach County. ^[3] He was re-elected in 2008, 2012, and 2016. ^{[2] [5] [6]}

As sheriff, Bradshaw was significantly involved in the COVID-19 pandemic response in Palm Beach County; enforcing mandatory curfews and mask mandates. ^{[7] [8]} He also served during the George Floyd protests, calling George Floyd's death "horrific". ^{[9] [10]}

In November 2020, Bradshaw was re-elected to a fifth term as sheriff. ^{[11] [12]}

In September 2024, Bradshaw received international media attention following the second attempted assassination of Donald Trump. ^{[13] [14] [15] [16]}

In November 2024, Bradshaw was re-elected to a sixth term as sheriff, defeating Republican nominee and former chief deputy sheriff Michael Gauger in the general election. ^{[1] [17] [18]}

Personal life

In April 2022, Bradshaw was hospitalized for a heart condition. ^{[19] [20]} He underwent two open heart surgerys in April and May 2022, respectively. ^{[21] [22]}

In July 2024, Bradshaw collapsed in a local Publix and was rushed, via ambulance, to JFK Hospital due to a pre-existing heart condition. ^[23]

References

1. Moolten, Shira (October 23, 2024). "Palm Beach County sheriff's race: Bradshaw and Gauger battle over spending, Trump assassination attempt". Sun Sentinel . Retrieved February 18, 2025.
2. "Sheriff Ric L. Bradshaw". Florida Sheriffs Association . Retrieved February 18, 2025.
3. "Sheriff Ric Bradshaw". pbso.org. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
4. Sutton, Scott (January 14, 2021). "Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw sworn in for fifth term". WPTV-TV . Retrieved February 18, 2025.
5. Musgrave, Jane (August 15, 2012). "Bradshaw easily re-elected Palm Beach County sheriff". The Palm Beach Post . Retrieved February 18, 2025.
6. Morse, Hannah (November 3, 2020). "Palm Beach County local election results, Sheriff Bradshaw wins fifth term". The Palm Beach Post . Retrieved February 18, 2025.
7. Kleinberg, Eliot (July 22, 2020). "PBC Sheriff Bradshaw: We'll stop Glades block parties; curfew an option". The Palm Beach Post . Retrieved February 18, 2025.
8. Morse, Hannah (June 1, 2020). "Floyd protests: Some county commissioners support curfew, but PBSO does not". The Palm Beach Post . Retrieved February 18, 2025.
9. Rayford, Sabirah (May 29, 2020). "Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw calls video of George Floyd's death 'horrific'". WPTV-TV . Retrieved February 18, 2025.
10. Waters, Lannis (May 29, 2020). "PBSO sheriff, Delray chief assail George Floyd's death, 'complete disregard for human life'". The Palm Beach Post . Retrieved February 18, 2025.
11. Kelley, Eileen (November 4, 2020). "Ric Bradshaw wins fifth term as Palm Beach County sheriff". Sun Sentinel . Retrieved February 18, 2025.
12. Burke, Peter; Gilmore, Chris (November 3, 2020). "Ric Bradshaw wins fifth term as Palm Beach County sheriff". WPTV-TV . Retrieved February 18, 2025.
13. "Sheriff describes moment suspect spotted at Trump golf course". BBC News . September 15, 2024. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
14. Durkin Richer, Alanna; Long, Colleen; Tucker, Eric; Miller, Zeke; Matat, Stephany (September 16, 2024). "Trump was the subject of an apparent assassination attempt at his Florida golf club, the FBI says". Associated Press . Retrieved February 18, 2025.
15. Smolar, Piotr (September 16, 2024). "Apparent assassination attempt against Trump once again disrupts US election campaign". Le Monde . Retrieved February 18, 2025.
16. Rainey, James; Rector, Kevin (September 15, 2024). "A second assassination attempt against former President Trump raises new questions". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved February 18, 2025.
17. Papaycik, Matt (November 5, 2024). "Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw wins sixth term". WPTV-TV . Retrieved February 18, 2025.
18. "Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw wins sixth term". WFLX . November 5, 2024. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
19. Diamond, Mike (July 19, 2022). "'I am feeling good:' Sheriff Ric Bradshaw out of the hospital, recovering after heart surgeries". The Palm Beach Post . Retrieved February 18, 2025.
20. Kelley, Eileen (June 2, 2022). "Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw hospitalized for over a month". Sun Sentinel . Retrieved February 18, 2025.
21. Geggis, Anne (May 13, 2022). "Palm Beach Sheriff hospitalized, but returning to work 'soon' after two medical procedures". Florida Politics . Retrieved February 18, 2025.
22. Magalhaes, Monica (July 18, 2022). "Sheriff Ric Bradshaw released from hospital". WPTV-TV . Retrieved February 18, 2025.
23. Parker, Terri (September 18, 2024). "EXCLUSIVE: Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw explains recent heart scare and hospitalization". WPBF . Retrieved February 18, 2025.