John W. Mina
John W. Mina is the Sheriff of Orange County, Florida. He was elected in 2018. He previously served as the Chief of the Orlando Police Department from 2014-2018. He spent nearly 28 years at the Orlando Police Department before being elected Sheriff of Orange County in 2018. Career. Before beginning his career in law enforcement, Mina served three years (1987-1990) as a Military Police Officer in the 82nd Airborne Division, stationed in Fort Bragg, N.C. After leaving the military, Mina joined the Orlando Police Department in 1991 and worked as an officer, detective and SWAT  operator before rising through the ranks to Deputy Chief in 2012. Mina was appointed Chief of Police by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer on April 1, 2014 and served in that role until his retirement in 2018 after nearly 28 years with the department. Mina was the Orlando Police Chief on June 12, 2016, when a gunman entered the Pulse nightclub and opened fire, killing 49 people and injuring many more. The Pulse Nightclub mass shooting was one of the deadliest in the nation's history. In 2018, Mina ran for Sheriff of Orange County, Florida when the post was vacated  by then-Sheriff Jerry Demings, who ran for mayor of Orange County. Mina defeated several challengers in 2018, ran for a full term in 2020, and was re-elected by the voters of Orange County. Awards and achievements. Graduate of the 254th Session of the FBI National Academy Award of Valor, Orlando Police Department, 1999 2017 Chief Executive of the Year 2017, Florida Police Chiefs Association Recipient of the LGBTQ Ally Award by The Center Orlando Recipient of the LGBTQ Ally Award from the Florida Diversity Council Member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police Board of Directors, since  2016 Member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police Mass Violence Advisory Initiative Early Life and Education. Born in New York (state), graduated from Lenape Valley Regional High School. Mina earned his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia College (New York). Personal life. Married to wife, Tracie. The couple has two sons, Chase and Nicholas.