We are pleased to announce the promotion of one of our employees. On Monday, September 29, 2025, Sheriff Kitchings held a promotional ceremony which was attended by family, friends, and CCSO personnel. Sergeant Steven Khachigan was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and will be assigned to the Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force in the Investigations Division. [...]

The Florida Attorney General’s Office has issued guidance to law enforcement regarding the recent appellate court decision surrounding the open carrying of firearms decision. The existing statute only allowed open carrying when engaged in fishing, hunting, or camping. That statute is no longer enforceable. This means that “Open Carry” is now allowed in Florida. It is [...]

On June 26, 2025, around 11:30am, deputies were dispatched to Arby’s Restaurant located on Highway 90 West for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies located two individuals inside the restaurant who had been shot. Three suspects were apprehended moments later following a high-speed vehicle pursuit on I-75. Since the initial incident took place, detectives [...]

On June 26, 2025, around 11:30am, deputies were dispatched to Arby’s Restaurant located on Highway 90 West for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies located two individuals inside the restaurant who had been shot. As deputies rendered aid, witnesses provided information regarding the suspects, including a vehicle description. Within minutes, a responding deputy located [...]

On Thursday, June 19th, 2025, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office was Reaccredited for its 3rd time by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement at the summer FLA-PAC (Florida Police Accreditation Commission) Conference held in Orlando, Florida. The formal assessment for reaccreditation took place at the Sheriff’s Office on April 7-8, 2025, and reviewed the agencies policies [...]

Effective June 24, 2025, The Columbia County Detention Facility has begun changing inmate visitation and telephone vendors from Securus to SmartCommunications. This may cause intermittent interruption of services during this time. It is also recommended that you limit the funds placed on the Securus account during this transition because funds will not transfer over to the [...]

2023 homicide suspect and registered sex offender, John Leonard Bowen, Jr., 47, convicted of Second Degree Murder in the death of Coyoete Kathren Cheyenne Turner, 18, and sentenced to life in prison yesterday in Columbia County Court. On Sunday, September 3, 2023, at approximately 11:37 a.m., deputies from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office responded to 981 [...]

CCSO Members Recognized by Gainesville Police Department On Friday night, June 6, 2025, multiple members of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and Columbia County Combined Dispatch were recognized for their participation, support, and successful capture of a fleeing homicide suspect from January 2024. During this award presentation ceremony held at the Gainesville Police Department, GPD Police [...]

A citizen calls in a report of a person sleeping in their car on the side of the road which leads to the discovery and seizure of over 45 pounds of marijuana and the arrest of the driver. At 8:14 a.m. on Friday morning, June 6, 2025, a concerned citizen called 911 to report a driver [...]