FRANKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE - Key Persons


A.J. "Tony" Smith

Job Titles:
  • Sheriff

Captain Gary Martina

Job Titles:
  • Captain
  • School Resource Deputy Superviser

Cliff Carroll

Job Titles:
  • Chief Deputy

Dana Pavon

Job Titles:
  • Human Resources

Deborah Dempsey

Job Titles:
  • Chief of Staff / Sheriff 's Executive Assistant
Deborah Dempsey started working for Sheriff AJ "Tony" Smith in 2019 and in 2021 rose to the role of Chief of Staff. Dempsey organizes and prioritizes critical issues as they come in and gathers the required information for the Sheriff. She is responsible for all matters involving scheduling for Sheriff Smith, in and out of the office. Dempsey is responsible for cross-functional communication and collaboration with all the divisions of the Sheriff's Office to improve productivity. Dempsey graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology and a Minor in Psychology. All inquiries for the Sheriff please email d.dempsey@franklinsheriff.com and she will be happy to assist.

Ginger Coulter - CFO

Job Titles:
  • Director of Finance
  • Director of Finance and Administration

Major David Varnes

Job Titles:
  • Corrections Administration

Major Dwayne Coulter


Renee Brannan

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • Director of Communications / 911 Supervisor

Rhetta Strange


Whitley Wilson