Leon County Sheriff's Office Podcast

In this inspiring episode of the Leon County Sheriff's Office podcast, host Javonni Hampton introduces listeners to Brittany Christie, the woman driving the agency's community initiatives, neighborhood outreach, and crime prevention programs. Brittany opens up about her deep roots in Tallahassee, her professional journey through the Salvation Army, and how she seamlessly blends a degree in crimino...

Mentorship is more than just guidance; it is a catalyst for transformation. In this episode, we explore the life and mission of Royle King II, the Executive Director for the Council on the Status of Men and Boys. Royle shares his story of being shaped by influential mentors, which ultimately led him to establish the Lamp Lighters program and take on the critical work of reducing gun violence in th...

Sergeant Shawn Edwards of the Leon County Sheriff's Office joins Javonni Hampton to discuss his unconventional transition from a high school senior to a United States Marine, and eventually, a veteran law enforcement officer. He dives deep into the discipline required to lead a platoon of 84 people, the struggle of finding a new identity after service, and how the "teachable moments" on the job ha...

In this episode, Javonni Hampton sits down with Deputy John Simpson of the Leon County Sheriff's Office. With over three decades of experience, Deputy Simpson shares the evolution of law enforcement technology, the mental toll of investigating gruesome scenes, and why he still views the uniform as a divine calling. From the transition of film photography to digital evidence, to the personal traged...

In this deep-dive interview, Major Norman Mack shares the evolution of detention operations from the 1990s to the post-pandemic era. He discusses the "Swiss Army knife" beginnings of his career in Jefferson County, where he learned the art of communication by managing everything from booking to medical care. The conversation explores the heavy transition to Leon County, the intricacies of gang inv...

In this episode, Javonni Hampton sits down with Detective Davis Clarke of the Leon County Sheriff's Office to discuss his eight-year journey from Leon High to a dedicated investigator in the Property Crimes Unit. Clarke shares candid insights into the evolution of law enforcement technology, the deep rewards of serving as a School Resource Deputy, and why he believes physical wellness is a non-neg...

In this episode, Javonni Hampton interviews Inspector General Greg Gibson about his expansive career and his current mission to bake transparency into the DNA of the Leon County Sheriff's Office. Gibson shares personal stories of resilience, beginning with a 1985 crash that hospitalized him for weeks and cemented his desire to protect others. Throughout the discussion, he outlines how leadership i...

Leading with Heart and Hustle In this episode of the LCSO Podcast, host Javonni Hampton sits down with Chief Bobby Green of the Leon County Sheriff's Office. Chief Green reflects on his three-decade journey through the agency, offering a rare look at the challenges and triumphs of a native Tallahasseean who rose through the ranks by refusing to be limited by others' expectations. -- The Power of R...

20 Years of Service: A Conversation with Sergeant Shade McMillian In this episode, Javonni Hampton interviews Sergeant Shade McMillian of the Leon County Sheriff's Office (LCSO). With two decades of experience, McMillian reflects on a career that spanned from school resource officer to the Public Information Officer during the COVID-19 pandemic, and eventually to his current role as Agency Recruit...

"Your gender doesn't limit you, your race doesn't limit you, your background doesn't limit you. If you have a will, a desire, and you're tapped into a higher source, the sky is the limit." — Shonda Knight In this episode, Javonni Hampton sits down with Shonda Knight, Senior Executive Director of Community Affairs and Reentry for the Leon County Sheriff's Office. Shonda reflects on her 17-year care...

"Don't make a plan A, B, C, and D. Make a plan A and stick to plan A... because when you make plan B, then you don't have a plan A. You've altered from it." — Captain Melinda Henderson Deep Roots and Definitiveness: The Melinda Henderson Story In this candid conversation, Javonni Hampton sits down with Captain Melinda Henderson of the Leon County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) to celebrate her 30-year le...

In this insightful interview, Javonni Hampton explores the careers of Captain Andrea Blalock and Captain Georgella Dent. Together, they discuss the evolution of the Leon County Detention Facility and the unique challenges and rewards of being a woman in law enforcement. Captain Blalock shares her journey from mental health and the academy to support services, while Captain Dent recounts her 22-yea...

In this deep-dive interview, Javonni Hampton sits down with Assistant Sheriff Grady Jordan to pull back the curtain on the Youth, Judicial, and Intelligence services of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Jordan discusses his transition from a Florida State athlete to a veteran law enforcement leader, detailing the stark changes in detention facility safety and the growing complexity of crime in a "...

"If you're getting into the field of law enforcement for any other reason than to serve others, then that's probably not the career field that you need to be in." — Undersheriff Ron Cave Beyond the Badge: A Mission of Mercy and Justice In this episode of the All In LCSO podcast, Javonni Hampton sits down with Undersheriff Ron Cave to discuss his 30-year career and his unique perspective on public...

In this episode of the All In LCSO podcast, Javonni Hampton sits down with Undersheriff Argatha Gilmore of the Leon County Sheriff's Office. With nearly 40 years of experience - including a tenure as a Chief of Police — Undersheriff Gilmore shares her unique journey from reading Nancy Drew novels to overseeing the Office of Corrections, Detention, and Re-entry. She discusses the "All-in-to-Help" p...

Leadership sets the direction for everything that follows. In this episode, the Sheriff shares the vision and mission of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, outlining the values, priorities, and leadership principles guiding the agency today—and into the future. All In: A Blueprint for a Safer Leon County In this inaugural episode, host Javonni Hampton sits down with Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil...

Welcome back everyone or greetings if this is your first time listening. This is more than a podcast. It's a conversation between the Leon County Sheriff's Office and the community we serve. Each episode features the people behind the badge sharing real stories, real challenges, and the work happening every day in Leon County. You don't have to start at the beginning because every conversation sta...