From Wakulla Sheriff’s Office
Former Wakulla County Sheriff Donnie Crum died Tuesday, March 26 at home with his family.
Donnie Crum was born and raised in Wakulla County and began his law enforcement career in 1973 with the Sheriff’s Auxiliary. He then spent the next 35 years diligently working his way through the ranks of the WCSO. He worked as a Special Agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in domestic narcotic operations between 1985 and 1989 before returning home to assume the position of Major with WCSO. Later, he was promoted to Undersheriff. The pinnacle of his career came when he was appointed as the Wakulla County Sheriff twice: the first in 2008 as Interim Sheriff by former Gov. Charlie Crist and then as Sheriff by former Gov. Rick Scott in 2011. Crum served in this role until his retirement in 2013.
Crum attended the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute. He was a proud member of the Florida Sheriff’s Association, the Florida Intelligence Unit, and a founding member of the extremely successful Big Bend Narcotics Task Force. Over the course of 38 years, he worked undercover with local, state, and federal agencies, including the Florida Marine Patrol, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which resulted in the seizure of drugs and money totaling millions of dollars. These operations led to the prosecution of hundreds of offenders and contributed to his lifelong and decorated law enforcement career.
Sheriff Crum dedicated almost 40 years to serving the citizens of Wakulla County. Sheriff Crum’s leadership during that time period helped guide and transform WCSO into the modern and professional organization that it is today.
Rest in Peace Sheriff Crum, thank you for your dedicated service, we have the watch from here.
A celebration of life was held Saturday, March 30th, at Sopchoppy Southern Baptist.
