Pasco Names Interim Sheriff After Nocco Resigns
Judge Shawn Crane appointed Col. Jeffrey Harrington to lead the Pasco County Sheriff's Office after Sheriff Chris Nocco stepped down to run for state Senate.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in People
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Circuit Judge Shawn Crane appointed Pasco Col. Jeffrey Harrington as interim sheriff of Pasco County on Monday night, hours before Sheriff Chris Nocco's resignation took effect. Nocco resigned to run for the state Senate District 21 seat.
Why it matters
With no sheriff in place, there would have been no one to attend to Circuit or County Court duties, so the court acted to fill the gap. The move also reflects the Florida Constitution's reliance on the governor for filling county office vacancies, a power the court exercised after Nocco petitioned for Harrington before Gov. DeSantis could act.
Judge Shawn Crane issued the order at 9 p.m. on November 2, 2026, roughly two and a half hours before Sheriff Chris Nocco's resignation took effect at 11:59 p.m. The interim appointment will run until the next Pasco sheriff election in 2028.
The players
Jeffrey Harrington
Harrington joined the Pasco Sheriff's Office in 1991, later served 18 years at the New Port Richey Police Department including as chief from 2010, and returned to the sheriff's office in 2011.
Chris Nocco
Nocco is the Pasco County sheriff who resigned to run for the state Senate District 21 seat, which covers portions of Pasco and Pinellas counties.
Shawn Crane
Crane is the circuit judge who issued the order appointing Harrington as interim sheriff after Nocco's petition.
Ron DeSantis
DeSantis is the Florida governor who holds primary constitutional authority to fill county office vacancies, and who called the District 21 special election.
The details
Nocco filed a petition with the court, along with a copy of his May 22, 2026 resignation letter, asking that Harrington be appointed before DeSantis made an appointment. Crane wrote that until a replacement is appointed, there would be no sheriff to attend to the Circuit or County Court, and that deputy sheriffs will need to sign a new oath when a new sheriff takes office.
Timeline
May 22, 2026: Nocco sends his resignation letter and announces his run for the state Senate District 21 seat.
November 2, 2026, 9 p.m.: Judge Crane issues the order appointing Harrington as interim sheriff.
November 2, 2026, 11:59 p.m.: Nocco's resignation takes effect.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Special election for the District 21 Senate seat is held.
2028: Next Pasco sheriff election; the interim term ends.
Legal Context
Under the Florida Constitution, the governor holds primary authority to fill county office vacancies, including sheriff. Crane's interim appointment, made before any gubernatorial action, shows how a court can step in when a sheriff's office would otherwise be left without an officer to handle court duties.
Pasco County residents will have a sheriff in office immediately, so court operations and law enforcement oversight continue without a gap. Deputies will need to sign a new oath when a permanent sheriff takes office.
The takeaway
Vacancies in elected county offices can be filled quickly through court action when a constitutional gap threatens court operations. Watch the District 21 special election results, since they will determine who holds the Senate seat Nocco is seeking.
What happens next
The District 21 special election is set for Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and the interim sheriff's term runs until the next Pasco sheriff election in 2028.
Further reading
For more on the officials shaping Florida's public offices, see People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tampa Bay Times.
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