Congratulating David Shoar

Floor Speech

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Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate David Shoar on a well-deserved retirement from a 40-year, lifelong career from law enforcement. David has been with the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office since being elected sheriff there in 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016. That is 16 long years of faithful service to the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office.

He has been an outstanding leader for the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office and initiated many innovations during his tenure. Sheriff Shoar actually began his law enforcement career with the St. Augustine Police Department in 1981, serving as a patrol officer before being promoted to sergeant in 1991.

Because of his leadership, knowledge, skills, and abilities, in 2000, he was appointed as chief of police, following successful stints as operations commander and administrative services commander. Just 4 years later, in 2004, he would then begin his career as sheriff of St. Johns County.

Mr. Speaker, that is when I really came to know Sheriff Shoar, during the Florida Sheriffs Association's new sheriffs school. Although we both attended an earlier training class in Wakulla Springs and really had gotten to be close friends, it was at this new sheriff's training that I truly began to appreciate Sheriff Shoar's intelligence and his insights.

Sheriff Shoar is also a decorated soldier in the Florida National Guard, later retiring as a major after 24 years of service to our Nation and our State. He served in the Gulf War and led North Florida's recovery efforts following Hurricanes Andrew and Opal. His public service record and leadership in northeast Florida is truly second to none.

Mr. Speaker, all of Sheriff Shoar's awards and accolades are too numerous to list, but they do include the America's Most Wanted National First Responder Award, the American Legion's Top Cop Award, the Catholic Charities of St. Johns County Good Samaritan Award, the Salvation Army's Gus Craig Award, and the prestigious Colonel Ed Taylor Award from the St. Johns County Veteran's Council for his many years of dedication to our Nation's veterans.

In addition to his many successes in law enforcement, military service, and community service, Sheriff Shoar also holds bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of North Florida and an honorary doctorate of law degree from Flagler College.

During his 40 years of service, Sheriff Shoar made a positive difference in his community, his country, his agency, and the lives of many people, including my own.

His life reminds me of a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson:

The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you lived and lived well.

Sheriff Shoar, David, my friend, you have made a difference and lived well.

On behalf of the Fourth Congressional District of Florida, I wish David well in his retirement and thank him for dedicating his life to the safety of our community and our Nation.

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