Sheriff Emery A. Gainey

Sheriff’s Biography

Sheriff Emery A. Gainey was born and grew up in Gainesville, Florida. He started his law enforcement career in 1982 with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Ofﬁce, working his way up the ranks and eventually became the Chief Deputy under Sheriff Steve Oelrich. He retired from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office in 2007.

Sheriff Gainey is a graduate of Santa Fe College and the University of Florida with a B.A. in Criminal Justice. He is also a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy, 188th Session (January – March 1997).

Beginning in 2007, Gainey served as the Director of Law Enforcement and Victim Services at the Florida Attorney General’s Ofﬁce. His tenure continued through three different Florida Attorney Generals. Most recently, he served as Chief of Staff for Attorney General Ashley Moody. In 2016, he was appointed as the Sheriff of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and worked tirelessly to improve the agency and ensured a smooth transition for next elected Sheriff, Billy Woods.

After his time in Marion County, Sheriff Gainey returned to the Attorney General’s Ofﬁce, eventually retiring in 2020. On September 7, 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Emery Gainey as Sheriff of Alachua County. The effective date of his appointment was October 2, 2023. The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office is proud to welcome Sheriff Gainey back home!