Candidate Profile: County Sheriff: William J. Waldron

Candidate: William J. Waldron

Part Affiliation: Republican

Age: 46 

Hometown: South Bend, Ind.

Residence: Manatee County

Occupation: Retired Detective of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office

Education: Indiana’s Penn High School (1983); Law Enforcement Academies in Alabama, Georgia and Florida

A Manatee County 12-year resident and single parent of a 22-year-old, William Waldron has more than 2,800 hours of law enforcement-related training and is seeking to become County Sheriff. 

Not long after graduating high school, Waldron obtained honorable discharges from the Indiana Army National Guard Military and U.S. Army Military Police, where he also was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and an Army Achievement Medal.

In Florida, Tennesse and Indiana, he has been a volunteer, reserve and full-time certified fire fighter and EMT, as well as held positions in various other locations across the United States, ranging from a 911 telecommunicator to a domestic violence case coordinator.

During his time with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Waldron served as Patrol Deputy and, for over nine years, Detective in the Criminal Investigation Division. His assignments included investigating property crimes, crimes against persons and violent offenses, coupled with temporary tasks in the Gang Unit, Cold Case Homicide Unit and Professional Standards Officer Involved Shooting Investigation Team.

Waldron has impacted the community further while serving as an Emergency Services Disaster Responder, Hostage Negotiator and Hostage Negotiations Team Leader. Moreover, he was Deputy of the Month for July 2003 after arresting two suspects in the county who were involved with a homicide case in New Orleans, La. The evidence Waldron recovered to detain both suspects was enough to secure a Louisiana conviction. 

“Having a vast experience in investigating gang-related crimes and all types of violent crime in Manatee County,” Waldron said, “I am well aware of the current trends in these crimes and others and what efforts need to be taken to reduce crime in Manatee County in order to make our community a safer place for all people.”

Waldron wishes to initiate improved relations between residents and authorities, create a Civilian Review Board and increase public awareness of the crimes affecting and occurring around the area.