Jeff Harrington is Pasco County's new permanent sheriff after Gov. Ron DeSantis made the appointment official Wednesday evening, Nov. 4.

The move came just one day after Harrington stepped into the role on an interim basis, according to Fox 13. Harrington is scheduled to hold his first press conference as permanent sheriff at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, according to the Pasco Sheriff's Office. The briefing will be livestreamed on the agency's Facebook page.

The appointment resolves a leadership question that opened when former Sheriff Chris Nocco resigned effective 11:59 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, on the eve of the special election for Florida Senate District 21. Nocco won that race on Nov. 3, defeating Democrat Jordan Hensley with about 57.7% of the vote, according to WUSF. He will serve the remaining two years of retiring Republican Sen. Ed Hooper's term, which covers parts of Pasco and Pinellas counties.

Nocco led the Pasco Sheriff's Office for nearly 15 years. Then-Gov. Rick Scott first appointed him in 2011, and he won election in 2012 before running unopposed in 2016, 2020 and 2024, according to Tampa Bay 28.

After Nocco's resignation, Sixth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Shawn Crane appointed Harrington as interim sheriff. That appointment took effect Nov. 3, according to WFLA. DeSantis then elevated Harrington to the permanent post the following evening.

Harrington will serve the remainder of the term Nocco vacated, according to a Wesley Chapel community news report.

He brings more than 30 years in law enforcement to the job, including more than 14 years with the Pasco Sheriff's Office, where he most recently served as Nocco's chief of staff, the agency said. His connection to the office dates to 1991, when he served as one of the first correctional deputies at the Land O' Lakes jail.

Harrington spent about 18 years with the New Port Richey Police Department, rising to police chief in 2010. He returned to the Pasco Sheriff's Office in October 2011 as a major overseeing patrol operations and was promoted to colonel in July 2013, becoming the agency's second-in-command.

In a statement, Nocco praised Harrington. "His leadership, dedication, and commitment were instrumental to our success," Nocco said.

Harrington holds a doctorate in leadership from Capella University and bachelor's and master's degrees in criminal justice from Norwich University. He also completed the FBI's National Executive Institute.

The Pasco Sheriff's Office confirmed the appointment and Harrington's career details. Residents can watch the Nov. 5 press conference on the agency's Facebook page starting at 1 p.m.