Republican Michael Gauger has a distinguished decades-long career in law enforcement. He was promoted from Deputy to Detective, then Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Major, and Colonel before being named Chief Deputy (second in command), a position he held for sixteen years under the current administration.

Michael has a long history of community involvement, serving on many boards and committees for some of the County’s most trusted organizations like Families First of Palm Beach County, Wellington Boys and Girls Club, Southeast Florida Behavioral Network, Law Enforcement Assistance Foundation (LEAF), the South Florida Fair Board, and JFK Hospital, to name a few.

Some of his most distinguished honors & awards include:

• Governmental Official of the Year - Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce

• Trailblazer Award - Urban League of Palm Beach County

• Citizen of the Year Award - Royal Palm Beach Rotary

• Nettie Finkle Award - Town of Palm Beach United Way

“As Sheriff, I will draw from my decades of experience working with every department of P.B.S.O. in addressing the issues that are important to our residents. I will reinstitute successful initiatives that better our communities, expand programs that mentor/develop our youth, apply my extensive community involvement experience in advocating for and engaging with issues related to mental health and substance abuse rehabilitation, bringing fresh ideas and a more comprehensive approach to law enforcement.” - Michael Gauger

Throughout his career in law enforcement, Michael Gauger has made thousands of arrests. However, his goal was never to just “lock ‘em up and throw away the key.” Instead, he wanted people to see law enforcement as he does – that law enforcement officers aren’t the enemy. He built relationships in the communities he served. He became a mentor and an educator, and he offered a safe space for those in crisis. He helped addicts get clean, helped victims find safety, and helped those who were on paths filled with poor decisions realize that there were better options.

He has given countless hours to both the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and to a multitude of nonprofit organizations throughout the County. He is a true servant leader who has always led by example. These are just a few of the reasons he has touched so many lives throughout his career at P.B.S.O. and through his involvement with so many philanthropic organizations.

INTEGRITY IN LEADERSHIP. COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY.