Sheriff Dennis Lemma

08/10/2026

Today marks the first day of a new school year across Seminole County.

We wish all of our students, teachers, administrators, staff and families a safe, successful and prosperous year ahead.

Our School Safety and Security team has spent the summer preparing for today, working closely with our schools to review safety plans, strengthen campus security and ensure our deputies and policing partners are ready for the year ahead. That work continues every day throughout the school year, with the safety of our students and school communities always at the forefront.

As everyone gets back into the school-year routine, please do your part. Slow down in school zones, watch for students and school buses, drive safely and be patient. Those few extra minutes are worth it.

Have a great first day, Seminole County!

07/04/2026

It was an honor to join Undersheriff Ron Hopper, Chief of Staff Bryan Beyer, and Region Commander Lt. Andrew Thomas at this morning’s annual Geneva Independence Day Parade as we celebrated America’s 250th anniversary with our community.

While only a few of us are pictured, many Seminole County Sheriff’s Office members worked behind the scenes to help ensure everyone had a safe and enjoyable celebration. Thank you to every member who helped make today’s event a success, and thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us.

07/04/2026

Happy Independence Day, and happy 250th birthday to the United States of America!

It was great to see so many of you at the annual Geneva Independence Day Parade this morning, and again last night at Red Hot & Boom. The support, encouragement, and appreciation you show the members of the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office means more than you know. We are truly honored to serve this incredible community.

As we celebrate today, let us remember that the freedoms we enjoy have been preserved for 250 years by generations of Americans who answered the call to serve. Their sacrifice reminds us that liberty is something to be cherished, protected, and never taken for granted.

From my family, and everyone at the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, thank you for allowing us to serve you. We wish you a safe, happy, and meaningful Independence Day.

06/22/2026

Please be aware there is an imposter account claiming to be my “backup page account.” If it comes across your feed, please report it so it will be blocked.

06/21/2026

Of all the titles I’ve been blessed to hold throughout my life, none means more to me than “Dad.”

Today, I’m grateful for the opportunity to celebrate with my family and to recognize all of the fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, and father figures who make a positive difference in the lives of others every day.

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. Thank you for your unconditional love, guidance, and the example you set for the next generation.

06/17/2026

I am proud to support Seminole County Commissioner Amy Lockhart in her re-election campaign.

Throughout her service on the Seminole County Commission, Amy has been a strong advocate for public safety and a dedicated representative for the residents of Seminole County. She never shies away from asking the tough questions, having candid conversations, or tackling the difficult issues facing our community. Those are qualities I respect and appreciate.

Amy understands the priorities that matter most to Seminole County families, businesses, and first responders. She listens, she engages, and she works hard to ensure our county remains one of the best places in Florida to live, work, and raise a family.

I wholeheartedly support Amy’s re-election and encourage those who share these values to consider supporting her campaign as well. If you would like to learn more or join us at her fundraiser next week, please see the details in the comments below.

05/26/2026

It was a true honor to serve as the guest speaker at the City of Oviedo Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony, where we gathered to honor the brave men and women whose lives were lost in service to our nation.

“Memorial Day is not simply about remembering history. It is about renewing our responsibility to live worthy of the freedoms secured by those who never made it home. Their sacrifice is forever woven into the foundation of this nation and into the communities they swore to protect.”

Thank you to the hundreds of community members, veterans, families, and supporters who attended this year’s ceremony. Your presence matters. It sends a powerful message that the lives, service, and sacrifices of our heroes will never be forgotten.

Special thanks to the American Legion Memorial Post 243 of Oviedo for continuing to host this meaningful ceremony each and every year.

05/25/2026

Today, on Memorial Day, we pause as a nation to honor the men and women of our Armed Forces whose lives were taken in service to our country. Their sacrifice secured the freedoms we enjoy today and preserved the ideals that define America, especially as we recognize our nation’s Semiquincentennial year and 250 years of liberty.

Memorial Day is more than a long weekend or a tradition. It is a reminder that freedom has always carried a cost, paid by generations of Americans willing to place service above self.

In every ceremony, every wreath, every name etched in stone, and every folded flag presented to a family, we renew a solemn pledge and promise: that these heroes will never be forgotten.

To all Gold Star families and those carrying the weight of loss today, Seminole County stands with you. We remember. We honor. And we will never forget.

05/22/2026

I am grateful for the hundreds who gathered at Cranes Roost Park for the 2026 Seminole County Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony earlier this week, as we honored and remembered the lives of the nine Seminole County heroes who were taken from us in the line of duty. Your attendance serves as a visible demonstration of the continued support of the policing profession and the families of our heroes.

I believe, without reservation, that these ceremonies are not just annual events. They are part of our pledge and promise to never forget.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in remembrance and reflection, and to the Altamonte Springs Police Department and the City of Altamonte Springs for hosting this meaningful event.

05/18/2026

Fentanyl continues to impact communities across our nation, and the work to combat it requires strong partnerships at every level.

Thank you to Spectrum News for highlighting this important issue, and to DEA Special Agent in Charge Danny Escobar for his leadership and continued partnership in the fight to keep these dangerous drugs off our streets and protect our communities.

New DEA Special Agent in Charge leading Tampa division