CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. – The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office announced early Monday morning that former Sheriff Charles “Charlie” Dean Sr. has passed away at the age of 86. A fixture in Florida public life for over half a century, Dean died in the early hours of February 23, 2026, leaving behind a career that spanned the local sheriff’s office and the halls of the state legislature in Tallahassee.
Dean first took the helm of the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office in 1980, serving four terms during a period of significant population growth for the region. During his sixteen years as sheriff, he was credited with modernizing the agency’s infrastructure and fostering a community-centric policing model that defined his tenure until he stepped down in 1996.
His departure from law enforcement did not signal the end of his public life. Dean transitioned into state politics, winning a seat in the Florida House of Representatives, where he served from 2002 to 2007. He subsequently moved to the Florida Senate, representing the residents of North Central Florida from 2007 until his retirement in 2016. Throughout his legislative years, Dean was frequently recognized for his advocacy on environmental conservation and criminal justice issues.
Current Sheriff David Vincent spoke on the transition of leadership and the foundations Dean built, noting that the former sheriff’s influence remained a guiding force for the deputies who followed him.
“Charlie Dean was a force of nature. He had a way of lifting people up simply by being in the room. His leadership, his heart, and his love for this community shaped generations of deputies and citizens,” said Vincent. “We are better because he walked among us, and we will carry his spirit forward in the work we do every day.”
Beyond his professional accolades, Dean was a family man, survived by his wife of 61 years, Judy, their two children, Shannon and Charlie, and three grandchildren. His family noted that while his public titles were many, his roles as a husband and grandfather were the ones he held most dear.
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office has indicated that flags will be flown at half-staff in his honor. While the community begins to process the loss of a man often described as a “titan” of local history, formal service arrangements have not yet been finalized.
The agency expects to release details regarding a public memorial in the coming days as they coordinate with the Dean family.
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