Sheriff Waters Appointed Mark Romano Undersheriff
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office named Mark Romano as undersheriff following the retirement of Shawn Coarsey.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in People
Sheriff T.K. Waters has appointed Mark Romano to serve as the new undersheriff of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. The appointment follows the retirement of Shawn Coarsey, who served as undersheriff since March 2023.
Why it matters
The change in leadership marks a transition in the department's executive structure following the departure of a veteran officer. Romano steps into the role to oversee agency operations after previously serving as the director of Patrol and Enforcement.
Shawn Coarsey concludes a 32-year tenure with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, while his successor, Mark Romano, brings nearly 30 years of department experience to the undersheriff position.
The players
T.K. Waters
T.K. Waters serves as the current Sheriff of Jacksonville and is responsible for managing the local law enforcement agency.
Mark Romano
Mark Romano is a veteran law enforcement officer with nearly 30 years of experience who has been named the new undersheriff.
Shawn Coarsey
Shawn Coarsey is a retired undersheriff who concluded a 32-year career with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Mike Williams
Mike Williams is a former Sheriff of Jacksonville who previously appointed Mark Romano to a director position in 2020.
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency serving the city of Jacksonville, Florida.
The details
Mark Romano, who began his career at the department as a patrol officer, has been a key member of the command staff for several years. He was previously elevated to his current director role by Sheriff Mike Williams in 2020.
Timeline
Mark Romano was appointed as undersheriff on Monday, September 21, 2026.
Shawn Coarsey began his term as undersheriff in March 2023.
Mark Romano was appointed to a director role by Sheriff Mike Williams in 2020.
Market Landscape
This appointment follows the department's organizational pattern established by the 2020 appointment of Mark Romano by Sheriff Mike Williams, reinforcing a policy of promoting long-serving internal leadership. The move ensures continuity within the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office executive team following the departure of a long-term veteran.
Residents should expect little disruption to daily law enforcement services as the department transitions to a familiar internal candidate. The change focuses on high-level administrative oversight rather than shifts in frontline patrol operations or community programs.
The takeaway
The appointment of a career officer to the undersheriff position highlights the department's emphasis on institutional knowledge. Residents are generally best served when executive transitions prioritize long-term experience to maintain stable departmental operations.
Further reading
Learn more about local leadership changes in our People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News 4 Jax.
