Paul Fern runs for Sarasota sheriff

[Media]

Paul Fern (L) and Sheriff Tom Knight (R)

Retired Sarasota sheriff’s deputy Paul Fern is running for sheriff in 2020.

Fern, 53, started his law enforcement career as a corrections deputy at the Manatee Sheriff’s Office, but he moved to the Sarasota Sheriff's Office patrol division in 1997.

When the World Trade Center was attacked, he got to know Secret Service agents. “After 9/11, an agent sent me an email and said they were ramping up the air marshals,” Fern said. He then became a federal air marshal with the Department of Homeland Security.

In 2011, travel demands became greater and he chose to return to the Sarasota Sheriff's Office where he worked in patrol and as a K9 deputy until his retirement in 2018.

Fern now owns Wings and Weenies with his wife, Joann.

Fern said the need for changes at the Sheriff’s Office drew him into the race, but said he respects Hoffman and...

Full story:
https://www.heraldtribune.com/news/2...rasota-sheriff

[Warren Brittingham]

Paul Fern (L) and Sheriff Tom Knight (R)

Full story:
https://www.heraldtribune.com/news/2...rasota-sheriff

He will not be Sherif there. Mark my word. Won’t be the incumbents pick.