Sheriff Johnson Taps New Major

Date Added: February 27, 2006 2:20 pm

February 7, 2006
Gary Davidson
Public Information Officer

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office has a new major and a new patrol commander. Those were among several key personnel decisions announced this week by Sheriff Ben Johnson. Topping the moves was the promotion of a nearly 19-year department veteran, Robert Jones, to the rank of major. “You’ve been a great cop,” Sheriff Johnson told Jones Tuesday morning during a promotion ceremony in Daytona Beach that attracted about 170 colleagues and well-wishers. “This is something you have absolutely earned.” 

Others also rising up the promotional ladder on Tuesday were Captain Rocky Norris, Lieutenant Jim Morgan and Sergeant Joseph Frost. Meanwhile, supervision of the agency’s law enforcement operations are being turned over to Major Terry Sanders. The change in command of the Law Enforcement Services Division was prompted by the impending retirement of Major Randy Burnsed, who’s stepping down at the end of the month. 

The 42-year-old Jones started his career with the Sheriff’s Office in June 1987. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in organizational management from Warner Southern College and is a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA. He has spent most of his career in law enforcement services, having previously served as a district commander in Deltona and head of the agency’s elite SWAT and Crime Suppression teams. Jones also spent several years as an administrator in the office of chief deputy. A DeLand native, Jones lives in Orange City with his wife, Nancye. The couple has two sons. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for the department,” said Sheriff Johnson. “We’re real proud of you.” 

As one of three majors in the department, Jones will command the Sheriff’s Office’s Support Services Division, overseeing communications, evidence, fleet management, information systems and training. Jones takes over for Sanders, who will assume command of the Law Enforcement Services Division. Sanders, 50, has been with the Sheriff’s Office for more than 26 years. He started with the agency in 1979 and was promoted to major in 2003. Law enforcement services encompasses the Sheriff’s Office’s patrol units as well as investigative services, law enforcement at Daytona Beach International Airport and a host of specialized units, such as SWAT, aviation, K-9s and marine patrol. Burnsed, who has commanded the Law Enforcement Services Division since 2001, is retiring on Feb. 23 after a 29-year career. 

In other promotions Tuesday:

• Rocky Norris was promoted to captain. The 54-year-old Norris joined the Sheriff’s Office in August 1986. He serves as commander of the SWAT Team, was the agency’s first homeland security coordinator and most recently has been serving as the assistant district commander in the Sheriff’s Office’s Holly Hill headquarters.
• Jim Morgan was promoted to lieutenant. Morgan, 40, began his career with the Sheriff’s Office in June 1987. As sergeant, Morgan split his time between working in internal affairs and overseeing the Sheriff’s Office’s victim advocate program.
• Joseph Frost was promoted to sergeant. The 34-year-old Frost started with the Sheriff’s Office in October 1995.

Norris, Morgan and Frost haven’t received their new assignments.