Leon County Sheriff's Office Podcast

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 the community. We dive deep into the challenges facing young men today, the importance of genuine connection, and why trusting your faith — even when it means pivoting from your original career plan — is essential to living out your purpose.

-- Royle’s journey from Dallas to Tallahassee and how a mentor’s influence shaped his career trajectory.

-- Why Royle chose to prioritize his purpose over his original plan to be an on-air television personality.

-- An inside look at the Council on the Status of Men and Boys and how they serve as a bridge between law enforcement and the community.

-- The importance of assembling a relatable team — combining faith leaders, youth navigators, and community members — to reach young men effectively.

-- Understanding the "heavy" nature of leadership and why being scared of your own dreams is actually a sign of growth.

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This is episode 015.

Find more information here: https://www.leoncountyso.com/

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 have shaped him as a father.

-- In 1992, Shawn Edwards left high school halfway through his senior year to join the Marine Corps, returning to walk across the stage for graduation.

-- Military leadership taught him that being a Sergeant is a 24-7 responsibility where you are literally responsible for the lives and well-being of someone else’s child.

-- Transitioning to civilian life can lead to a loss of identity; Edwards describes the shift from commanding a platoon to starting over as a correctional officer in 2003.

-- Effective law enforcement relies more on communication than physical force, noting that a deputy's "best weapon" is their mouth.

-- A traumatic response to a bus accident involving a local youth club profoundly impacted his parenting style, leading to a long-term protective stance over his own children's safety.

-- Career advice for the next generation includes keeping a clean record, as youthful mistakes can follow you into a professional law enforcement career.

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This is episode 014.

Find more information here: https://www.leoncountyso.com/

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 tragedy that shaped his perspective on community and family, this conversation offers a close look at a life dedicated to public safety.

-- 35 years of evolution from dispatch to the Crime Scene Unit.

-- The technical shift from developing film in darkrooms to modern digital forensics.

-- Managing mental health and the emotional weight of "the cases you never forget."

-- The critical importance of communication skills when backup is miles away.

-- Balancing a "real-life Brady Bunch" family with the demands of the job.

-- Insights into the Warrants and Civil Unit and the reality of modern policing.

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This is episode 013.

Find more information here: https://www.leoncountyso.com/

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 investigation, and the unique challenges of civil judicial services. Major Mack’s story is a class in leading by example and maintaining personal integrity in high-pressure environments.

-- Major Mack's early influences, including the pivotal role his mother played in shaping his character and his decision to confess Christ in 1995.

-- The transition from a small "linear" jail to the "direct supervision" model used at the Leon County Detention Facility.

-- The importance of unwavering principles and why treating every individual with the same level of respect is vital for safety and order.

-- His tenure in classification and booking, and how specialized gang training led to award-winning investigative results.

-- The operational challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and how leading from the front kept staff motivated during a global crisis.

-- The jump to Judicial Services, highlighting the complex work of the civil unit and the management of warrants and bailiffs.

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This is episode 012.

Find more information here: https://www.leoncountyso.com/

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-negotiable requirement for modern policing.

-- Detective Clarke discusses growing up in Tallahassee and how his father, a local attorney and Army veteran, influenced his path toward public service.

-- A look at the "trial by fire" moments in law enforcement, including the transition from using SD cards and CoolPix cameras to modern iPhones and body cams.

-- Why the School Resource Unit remains Clarke’s favorite assignment, highlighting the power of steering "troubled" youth toward the graduation stage.

-- The vital importance of the "wellness hour" and how Clarke established the LCSO Run Club to help deputies combat chronic stress and find mental clarity.

-- A rapid-fire round reveals the most underrated tool on the job and the one piece of advice every aspiring officer needs to hear.

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This is episode 011.

Find more information here: https://www.leoncountyso.com/

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 is not about title or rank, but about service, trust, and the "bloom where you're planted" mentality.

-- The 1985 Turning Point: How a DUI-related crash in Tallahassee became the catalyst for a three-decade career in law enforcement.

-- The School Resource Officer Impact: Why humanizing the role of law enforcement to children is the foundation of community trust.

-- From Local to State: Navigating the differences between being a "generalist" in local patrol and a "specialist" in state agencies like DEP and FWC.

-- Crisis Management at Scale: Lessons learned while overseeing intelligence and emergency response during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

-- The New Office of Inspector General: A deep dive into how LCSO is leading the way in Florida with an IG office focused on integrity, audits, and professional standards.

-- Career Advice for the Next Generation: The importance of writing skills, staying humble, and giving 10% more than the competition.

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This is episode 010.

Find more information here: https://www.leoncountyso.com/

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 Roots: Chief Green discusses growing up in Tallahassee, the discipline of high school football, and how the "structure" of his upbringing—including church and respect for authority—laid the foundation for his career.

-- Breaking Barriers in Corrections: Starting his career in the detention center in 1994, Green explains why he refused to let his race or his starting position define his ceiling, eventually pushing for a transfer to patrol despite being told it was impossible.

-- The "Sweatsuit" Interview: Hear the hilarious and inspiring true story of how Green showed up to a high-stakes narcotics interview in a fleece sweatsuit and a clip-on tie, proving that preparation and character matter more than a polished exterior.

-- Humanizing the Badge: A deep dive into the dual identity of being a Black man and a law enforcement officer, especially during times of national tension, and why empathy is a deputy's greatest tool.

-- A Legacy of Mentorship: Chief Green outlines his current role overseeing the Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) and his passion for ensuring the next generation of deputies is better prepared for retirement and leadership than he was.

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This is episode 009.

Find more information here: https://www.leoncountyso.com/

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 Recruiter. He shares intimate details about the personal sacrifices and professional triumphs that define a life in uniform, offering a rare "behind the curtain" look at the evolution of modern policing.

-- Sergeant McMillian discusses his "unorthodox" path to the LCSO, starting as a reserve deputy in 2005 after being inspired to serve by the events of September 11, 2001.

-- A look at the various hats a deputy wears, including the rewarding nature of being a School Resource Deputy at Fairview Middle School and the intensity of the "HEAT" human trafficking unit.

-- The challenges of serving as a Public Information Officer (PIO) during 2020, navigating office closures, and communicating vital safety data to the public during a global pandemic.

-- The transition from active investigations back to patrol and eventually into recruiting, driven by a desire to mentor and teach the next generation.

-- An honest discussion on the importance of communication in policing and why seeing the human being behind the uniform is essential for community trust.

-- A "speed round" of fun insights where Shade reveals his preference for coffee over energy drinks and night shifts over days.

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This is episode 008.

Find more information here: https://www.leoncountyso.com/

"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 career in television journalism, where she made history as the first African-American morning anchor at WCTV, and explains the spiritual "nudge" that led her to serve her community in a whole new capacity.

The conversation dives deep into the heart of "reentry"—the strategic effort to support individuals leaving the detention facility so they never return. Shonda shares the innovative ways the Sheriff’s Office is leveraging community partnerships to provide clothing, vocational training, and spiritual support to those looking for a fresh start.

Main points of the discussion include:

-- Shonda’s early dreams of journalism and how she became a "purpose seeker" guided by faith.

-- The transition from telling stories on the news to managing the public image and community relations of a major law enforcement agency.

-- The "All-In" philosophy of Sheriff Walt McNeill and the importance of hiring civilian experts to increase transparency.

-- Reimagining Reentry: Moving beyond incarceration to provide vocational training, food pantries, and clothing closets for the formerly incarcerated.

-- The upcoming ribbon-cutting for the new Detention Facility Chapel, built entirely through community partnerships without using taxpayer dollars.

-- Balancing a high-level career with motherhood and the legacy Shonda hopes to leave behind.

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This is episode 007.

Find more information here: https://www.leoncountyso.com/

"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 legacy and historic milestones during Women's History Month. Born and raised in Leon County, Captain Henderson discusses why she chose to stay in her hometown and how a temporary job in communications blossomed into a decorated career in law enforcement. She provides a rare look into the high-stakes world of the hostage negotiation team and offers powerful advice for the next generation of leaders.

-- The evolution of a career: Moving from a communications officer to a patrol deputy and eventually a captain in the Criminal Investigations Bureau.

-- Breaking barriers: The significance of serving as the first woman of color to achieve the ranks of Sergeant and Lieutenant on the law enforcement side of LCSO.

-- The "Mental Chess Game": Behind the scenes of commanding the hostage negotiation team and the importance of empathy and patience in crisis resolution.

-- Mentorship and legacy: How seeing other women in leadership provided a roadmap for her own success and why she prioritizes lifting others as she climbs.

-- The power of "Plan A": Why having a backup plan might actually be the thing holding you back from your ultimate goal.

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This is episode 006.

Find more information here: https://www.leoncountyso.com/