Chip Simmons

Sheriff - Escambia County Sheriff's Office

Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons has been in the field of law enforcement for more than 40 years. Beginning his law enforcement career in 1984, Sheriff Simmons initially worked as a Corrections Officer for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office before transferring to the Pensacola Police Department in 1986. He rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the Chief of Police and retiring in 2015 as one of the most decorated officers in the Department’s history. During his career, his assignments have included Patrol, Investigations, Narcotics and SWAT. Sheriff Simmons has received numerous department awards in recognition of his service to the community, including a Bronze Cross and the Gold Medal of Valor, which is the department’s highest award for heroism. He also has been named to the Police and Firefighters Heroes Hall of Fame, the Pine Forest High School Alumni Hall of Fame, and received the Volunteer of the Year and Sports Lifetime Achievement awards from the Emerald Coast Youth Sports Association. In 2013, he received the Mayor’s Leadership Award for the city of Pensacola. Sheriff Simmons went on to serve as Escambia County’s Assistant County Administrator and Chief Corrections Officer before returning to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in the role of Chief Deputy. After being elected as the Sheriff of Escambia County in November 2020, Sheriff Simmons instituted a number of programs promoting both enforcement and engagement at levels never before seen in our community. A few of the most recognizable projects include assisting in the formation of a non-profit to support his employees and their engagement efforts, launching Sheriff’s movie nights, creating the Engagement Awards, and producing the award-winning Blazer Academy which was chosen as the State of Florida Program of the Year. The Pine Forest High School graduate holds an Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Pensacola Junior College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Troy State University, and a Master of Public Administration degree from Troy State University. He also graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA. In 2024, Sheriff Chip W. Simmons was re-elected without opposition, becoming the first elected Sheriff in Escambia County history to do so. With a career in public service spanning over four decades, Sheriff Chip Simmons has distinguished himself as a steadfast champion for the betterment of our community.

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