MEET THE SHERIFF

Sheriff Billy Woods

Sheriff Billy Woods, a native of Marion County, has dedicated his career to the service and protection of his community. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration/Business Management from Columbia Southern University and has 36 years of law enforcement experience. He has also served three terms as Marion County Sheriff.

Sheriff Woods is actively involved in several organizations and was recently elected President of the Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA). He was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to serve as a commissioner on the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, as well as to the Emergency Communications Board. He currently serves as Vice Chair of both organizations. Additionally, Sheriff Woods chairs the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches Board of Directors, sits on the board of the Florida Sheriffs Deputy Association, and serves as a commissioner for the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation. He is also a past chair of Marion Senior Services and a past president of the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute Associates (FCJEIA).  Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson appointed Sheriff Woods to the board of the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park Authority.

During his time in office, Sheriff Woods launched a crime-fighting initiative in Marion County schools, introducing two German Shorthaired Pointers (GSPs) to the SRO Division as the county's first firearms-detection police canines. These GSPs conduct random visits to schools and extracurricular events to help deter potential gun violence. In 2024, Sheriff Woods expanded the K-9 Unit with the addition of two yellow Labrador Retrievers, made possible by generous donors, tasked with enhancing security within the Marion County Jail. Since then, two additional GSPs have also been assigned to the jail, and a third GSP has been added to enhance security at the courthouse. He has also reestablished a mounted unit, further strengthening the county's law enforcement capabilities.

Since taking office in 2016, Sheriff Woods has overseen significant population growth in Marion County, from 347,958 to an estimated half a million residents. His leadership continues to shape and strengthen the safety and well-being of the community.