Jon Kinney
A native Floridian, Jon Kinney was born in Miami Florida in 1965. He moved with his family to Palatka in 1971. Jon attended school in Putnam County and graduated from Palatka High in June 1983. After graduation Jon attended the St. Augustine Florida Vo-Tech Law Enforcement Academy in January of 1984 and graduated in October of the same year.
While going to school, Jon worked at the local area Publix Supermarkets from 1979 to 1986.
In 2004, Jon attended Kapplan College and received an Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice and from 2006-2008 attended Flagler College earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration.
He began his career in Law Enforcement with the Palatka Police Department in 1986 when he was hired by Chief Jimmy Hill to fill a communications officer position. In 1987 Jon was hired by Chief John Hogg to be a Patrol Officer at the Crescent City Police Department. Jon left the Crescent City Police Department when Hon. Sheriff Taylor Douglas hired him as a Patrol Deputy for the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
Jon had the pleasure of serving in many capacities within the Sheriff’s office from being a Patrol Officer, a School Resource Officer as well as a Traffic Enforcement Officer.
Jon was Sergeant for the Civil Division and Patrol Division from 2007 until he left the Sheriff’s Office in 2015. Jon’s last assignment was being in charge of the School Resource Unit from 2011 until 2015 where he remained employed until he resigned in June 2015 to run for Sheriff of Putnam County to fulfill a lifelong goal.
While Jon was employed at the Sheriff’s Office he amassed many awards and letters of accommodations:
VFW Officer of the Year 1992
Putnam County Sheriff Life Saving Award – 1993
Fraternal Order of Police Officer of the Year-1993
Lake Lodge 72 F&AM Officer of Year 1993
Mothers Against Drunk Driving Officer of the Year- 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Florida Law Enforcement Challenge 1st Place Award-2004
Mother Against Drunk Driving State Award for 100+ Arrests-2004
Readers of the Palatka Daily News voted Jon the Deputy Sheriff Readers Choice Award - 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015.
Jon was an accomplished Motorcycle Officer at the Sheriff’s Officer, assisting many motorcycle clubs in escorts both in Putnam County and in St Johns County Sheriff’s Office.
Jon was a much respected DUI officer throughout the State of Florida and was selected to attend the International Association of Chemical Testers conference in Madison Wisconsin in 2005. Jon is also a certified instructor with specialties in teaching Breath Testing and Speed Measurement (RADAR) and continues teaching these classes.
Jon has volunteered many hours to organizations outside of Law Enforcement, most recently to the Tour De’ Cure (Cure for Diabetes) Bicycle Race in St. Augustine. Jon also has spent many hours with the Florida Sheriff’s Association Youth Ranch and spent nine years as a volunteer for the summer camp in Barberville, Florida. This camp is still is in operation today and serves the children of Putnam County.
Jon is a member of Dunns Creek Baptist Church and enjoys spending time with his wife Becki. Some of Jon’s hobbies include fishing, woodworking and watching college football.