By Steve Nicklas, 8-19-24
Bill Leeper is a traditional law-and-order sheriff. He is a straight shooter who hits law-enforcement targets with a marksman’s accuracy.
Crime is a laser-focused target for Nassau County Sheriff Leeper. More specifically, how to alleviate it in Nassau County – and keep people safe. He sets his sights on it, as if rehearsing at a gun range.
To say he is a no-nonsense, by-the-book sheriff is like saying John Grisham is an author. These are self-evident truths. He lives and operates by a simple belief: “Public safety has to be the No. 1 priority.”
Since 2012 when Leeper became sheriff, crime has fallen by 40 percent here. Even with a population bursting at the seams. “Our crime rate is very low considering our growth,” Leeper said during an interview. “With that growth, there are drawbacks and opportunities for more crime. It’s challenging to keep up with the growth – and it’s not cheap.”
Local residents support funding law enforcement, not de-funding it like in liberal areas. Nassau County is overwhelmingly conservative, with Republicans dramatically outpacing Democrats.
Within this demographic, residents own guns to create a self-protecting militia. And criminals are aware of hardened areas like ours. “They know up here if you break into my house, I’m going to shoot you,” Leeper said.
Most crime here can be traced to Jacksonville. Small gangs mistakenly think they can commit crimes in rural areas. Leeper sees an easy fix, although improbable. “I tell people all the time, we should build a wall,” Leeper cracked, “and make Jacksonville pay for it.”
Nassau County experiences few crimes from illegal aliens. Often, migrants congregate in farming communities in search of undocumented work. When an illegal is arrested here, ICE agents promptly apprehend them. They are processed in the Jacksonville ICE office.
Migrant crimes like rapes and murders are common around the U.S., however. Often, young women are involved. Leeper acknowledges these “horrible crimes.” However, “We haven’t seen locally much of it,” he says.
A sheriff’s deputy died several years ago chasing an illegal alien on foot across State Highway 200. Leeper knew the family of the fallen deputy, Eric Oliver. He recalls seeing “his body, and his uniform all torn” after being struck by a passing car.
“I said a prayer,” Leeper said, “and went to notify his mother and dad.” Media reports were developing about the freak incident and subsequent manhunt. When Leeper went to the family’s door, the heartbroken mother said to him, “It’s Eric, isn’t it?” A monument has been erected to honor Oliver, who had a six-year-old daughter.
Leeper has seen horrific scenes along state roads as a former Florida Highway Patrol officer. He wrote a book, “Highway of Horror,” about his experiences, with graphic pictures. He uses it to educate young drivers.
He travels outside our area in search of knowledge. Leeper went to the southern U.S. border to visit law-enforcement officers there. “It was a mess,” Leeper recalls. “Anybody that would say the border is secure is full of crap.”
Border-control workers are “short-staffed,” as are the sheriffs in border towns. “They are frustrated because they are screaming for help,” Leeper says. “The politicians come down for photo opportunities and do nothing.”
Our area is being impacted by the border, however, through the trafficking of fentanyl. Leeper estimates 70 percent of the overdoses here involve fentanyl. The potent drug moves from the southern border through Atlanta and into Florida. Years ago, drugs came north from Miami – when the southern border was more secure. “We still have an issue with drugs here,” Leeper said.
In his travels, Leeper also visited the site of the horrific school shooting in Parkland. He walked the same path of the shooter who fired 139 shots in four minutes, killing 17 students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The crime scene was still preserved.
Leeper recalls seeing dried blood and bullet holes. “It was very emotional for me,” he said. “Unfortunately, the school resource officer didn’t do what he was supposed to do – he should have gone in.”
Society has changed since Leeper grew up here, hitching rides to the beach. And life was simpler then. However, Leeper is grateful for our community, and how it has evolved.
“We’re blessed here,” Leeper said, “to live in a community with citizens who support law and order.” And our community is blessed to have a devoted sheriff like him.
Steve Nicklas is a financial advisor on Amelia Island and an award-winning columnist. His columns appear in weekly newspapers in Northeast Florida. He has published a book of his favorite columns, “All About Money.” He has also done financial reports for area radio stations. He can be reached at 904-753-0236 at [email protected].
The views expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Citizens Journal Florida.
