Sheriff Don Moreland, the longest serving Marion County sheriff, has died. Moreland, who was 90, died Nov. 6, 2025.
A sheriff’s official said Moreland died at HCA Florida West Marion Hospital after a brief illness.
Present and past law enforcement officials who served with Moreland paid tribute to the man they hailed as a mentor, friend and tough individual. They describe him as an upstanding law enforcement official.
He served as Marion sheriff from 1972 until 1992.
Sheriff Billy Woods said Moreland was the best sheriff and a steadfast leader who’s an example for all of the sheriffs in the state.
Woods said he “looked up to Moreland” and the former sheriff “set the standard for sheriffs in this state.”
“He had my profound admiration and respect,” Woods said by phone.
Other reactions to the death of Don Moreland
Former Williston Police Chief Dennis Strow, who was a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy for 40 years, said he grew up under Moreland in the 1970s.
He described Moreland as very ethical with strong morals. He believed in the deputies who wore the badge.
“Many of us looked up to him as a father figure. He was a leader in law enforcement and was a visionary. He strived for excellence,” said Strow, who was Williston police chief for 10 1/2 years. Strow said: “A lot of stuff I learn from Moreland, I took it with me when I was head of the Williston Police Department.”
Strow said before Moreland attended church on Sundays, the former sheriff would drink his coffee, read the newspaper, then go to the office.
Gerald Ergle, who worked with Moreland in the 1960s at the MCSO, said his former colleague was extremely professional and one of the most ethical people he ever worked with.
Ergle served on the Ocala City Council for 26 years and was mayor for four years.
“He was an all around great guy who will be missed,” Ergle said.
Ed Dean, who served as sheriff from 1998 to 2013, said Moreland believed in law enforcement professionalism. He said Moreland transformed a small sheriff’s agency into a modern, accredited sheriff’s office that’s respected around the state.
Dean said Moreland emphasized training for both law enforcement and corrections officers. He said Moreland was among the founders of the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch for troubled youths.
Calling Moreland a man of the people, Dean said Moreland was the sheriff “who I admire.”
Towles Bigelow said when he began working as a sheriff’s deputy in 1961, Moreland was at the department.
Bigelow said the two worked together for 12 years and back then were only a handful of deputies on the road. During their time on the road together, Bigelow said, they developed a close relationship.
He said Moreland was a great guy, mentor and was respected by everyone.
“He was a legend and a good man. I worked with him and for him. He touched a lot of lives both in and out of the sheriff’s office,” Bigelow said.
Bigelow said he saw Moreland at a restaurant about three weeks ago having breakfast. He said they spoke for more than two hours about their time together and “the old days.”
“I’m glad we had that time together,” he said.
MCSO Chief Deputy Robert Douglas, who was hired by Moreland in 1976, said Moreland expected high standards from deputies. He said Moreland was “a leader you aspired to be,” a mentor, and a Korean War veteran.
A former chief at the Chiefland Police Department, Douglas said he saw Moreland on Nov. 5. He said they spoke for about 30 minutes. Douglas said he told Moreland before leaving “I love you.”
The high ranking official said he received the call about 7:30 a.m. Nov. 6 that Moreland was in the hospital and immediately went there.
More about Don Moreland
Serving from 1972 to 1992 as sheriff, Moreland was inducted in the Florida Law Enforcement Officers’ Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Tallahassee in 2024. When Moreland won the 1972 election at age 37, he was the youngest sheriff in recent history.
Woods, who nominated Moreland for the honor, said at the time that the decision was easy because Moreland is someone he has always admired. He added that Moreland’s accomplishments are tremendous, and his tenure as sheriff was extraordinary.
Throughout Moreland’s lifetime, the former sheriff has seen some of his pupils move on to outstanding careers. They include circuit judges, a state attorney, sheriffs like him and police chiefs.
Aside from being sheriff, Moreland was a U.S. Marshal for the Middle District of Florida. The area includes Orlando and Tampa. He worked at the Ocala Police Department and served in the U.S. Navy. In a past interview with Moreland, he told a Star-Banner reporter that he was hired in his front yard by Sheriff F.L. McGehee in 1957.
Moreland was an innovator. He deputized Patty Lumpkin as the first female deputy on the road. At one time, Black deputies only took calls in certain areas; under Moreland, they were able to answer calls anywhere in Marion County.
He was responsible for introducing the aviation unit, fleet maintenance, and accreditation for the department and the jail.
A funeral services for Moreland is scheduled for Nov. 12 at First Baptist Church of Ocala, 2801 SE Maricamp Road, with a viewing at 10 a.m. and the service at 11 a.m.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Don Moreland, the longest serving Marion sheriff, has died.
Reporting by Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner / Ocala Star-Banner
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
