Sheriff Mac McNeill is a sixth generation Floridian, born in Gainesville and raised in the rural small town of High Springs. Growing up he learned the value of hard work and dedication at an early age by working on local farms picking watermelons and tobacco, bagging and stocking groceries in a small grocery store, pumping gas at an aunt’s filling station, and working at the local Seminole feed store.
After graduating from Santa Fe High School, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he achieved the rank of Sergeant during his enlistment. He is a combat veteran of the Gulf War and was awarded the Marine Combat Action Ribbon.
Mac graduated as the Academic Honor Graduate from the Santa Fe Institute of Public Safety Law Enforcement Academy. He earned his Associate of Arts degree from Santa Fe College and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice with highest honors from Saint Leo University.
Education
Santa Fe High School; associate’s degree, Santa Fe Community College; bachelor’s degree, St. Leo University.
Military
United States Marine Corps, 1990-93; served in the first Gulf War and awarded the Marine Combat Action Ribbon.
Career
Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, deputy, eight years (court security, patrol, warrants, investigator, SWAT); Florida Department of Law Enforcement, 13 years (supervisor on protection detail for Gov. Jeb Bush, Gov. Charlie Crist and Gov. Rick Scott). Appointed sheriff of Jefferson County by Gov. Scott in 2017 and elected November 2018, re-elected 2020.