One of the top chiefs at the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office could soon be heading south.
Chief of Staff Lewis Blanchard has emerged as the leading candidate to become the next police chief in Lynn Haven, Florida, a Panhandle city near Panama City. The Lynn Haven City Commission is expected to take up the matter during its meeting Tuesday evening, where commissioners could formally approve his hiring.
“I’m honored to be offered the opportunity and we shall see what the future holds,” Blanchard said in a statement to us.
Blanchard said the opening caught his attention after he left his previous role in Burke County.
“After leaving Burke, I applied in a few areas that were on the coast between Florida, South Carolina and Georgia,” he said. “It was just a potential opportunity that was too hard to pass up.”
According to the commission’s agenda, commissioners will discuss and possibly approve Blanchard’s appointment as police chief following advice and consent. If approved, the vote would finalize his hiring.
Blanchard currently serves as chief of staff at the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, a position he has held since Sheriff Eugene Brantley took office nearly a year ago. In that role, Blanchard oversees the agency’s uniformed operations and frequently acts as its public spokesman.
Before coming to Richmond County, Blanchard spent years in law enforcement across the CSRA. He previously served as chief deputy at the Burke County Sheriff’s Office before retiring in 2020. He later came out of retirement to run for Burke County sheriff, ultimately withdrawing from the race and accepting the Chief of Staff position in Richmond County. His career also includes service with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
The Lynn Haven police chief position has been vacant since September. Former chief Ricky Ramie was suspended without pay before resigning amid a personnel investigation involving allegations of policy violations, including misuse of city property.
According to reports from WMBB, the city narrowed its search to three finalists before selecting Blanchard as its top choice.
If approved Tuesday, Blanchard’s departure would mark a significant leadership change for the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, which would then need to fill one of its highest-ranking positions.
The Lynn Haven City Commission meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
