Sheriff Shoar began his law enforcement career as a police officer with the St. Augustine Police Department in December of 1981. He served as a patrol officer for 10 years until his promotion to Sergeant in 1991. In 1997 Sheriff Shoar was promoted to Operations Commander overseeing the Patrol and Detective Divisions. In 1999, he was assigned as the Administrative Services Commander and served in that capacity until May of 2000 when City Manager Bill Harriss appointed him Chief of Police.
Sheriff Shoar is a 1987 Honors graduate from St. Johns River Community College and he graduated with “highest honors” in 1996 from the University of North Florida earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. In December 2001 he was awarded a Master’s Degree in Public Administration with “highest honors” from the University of North Florida. Sheriff Shoar is a member of several academic honor societies including Phi Kappa Phi and the Golden Key National Honor Society. He currently serves as an adjunct professor at St. Johns River Community College in St. Augustine, Florida. In 2005, Sheriff Shoar was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from Flagler College. Also in 2005, Flagler College created the “David B. Shoar Award for Academic Achievement” to be awarded to the graduate of the Public Administration Baccalaureate Degree program who maintains the highest grade point average.
In May 2005, Sheriff Shoar retired after 25 years of service with the Florida Army National Guard. He began his military career as an enlisted soldier and eventually earned his commission as an officer through the Florida National Guard Military Academy’s Officer Candidate School in 1988. Sheriff Shoar has served as a platoon leader, company executive officer and unit commander. Sheriff Shoar has served our country and state during several operations including Operation Desert Shield/Storm and during relief efforts after Hurricanes Andrew and Opal. He also served as an Operations Officer at the Guard’s State Headquarters in St. Augustine, FL. Sheriff Shoar retired with the rank of Major and has been decorated numerous times including being awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (twice), Humanitarian Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and several others. He was also awarded the Liberation of Kuwait Medal from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Sheriff Shoar retired from the St. Augustine Police Department in 2004 after being elected to serve as Sheriff of St. Johns County. In 2008 Sheriff Shoar was elected to a second term as Sheriff with no opposition. Sheriff Shoar is a 1998 graduate of the 193rd session of the FBI’s National Academy, a 2003 graduate of the 46th session of the FBI’s Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar and a 2004 graduate of the 35th session of the Chief Executive Seminar sponsored by the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute. In June of 2009, Sheriff will attend the Police Executive Research Forum’s (PERF) Senior Management in Policing Program (SMIP) at Boston and Harvard University. Sheriff Shoar holds memberships in numerous clubs and civic organizations including but not limited to the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars, Masonic Lodge, Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), International Association of Chief’s of Police, National Guard Officers Association, Florida Police Chief’s Association and the Northeast Florida Law Enforcement Executives Association. Sheriff Shoar serves on a variety of advisory boards including the University of North Florida’s Institute of Government, the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Directors of EPIC here in St. Johns County, and the Board of Directors for the Florida Sheriff’s Association. In September of 2009, Sheriff Shoar was appointed by Governor Crist to serve on the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.
Sheriff Shoar has been fortunate to be recognized for his public service efforts over the years. In 2006, Sheriff Shoar won the “America’s Most Wanted” National “First Responder” Award; Sheriff Shoar received $10,000 as part of winning this award which he promptly donated to a disabled Deputy Sheriff. In 2007, Sheriff Shoar was selected by the American Legion as Florida’s “Top Cop” and as recently as 2008 he was awarded the “Good Samaritan” award by the Catholic Charities of St. Johns County. In 2008 Sheriff Shoar received St. Johns County’s most prestigious award for civic involvement, the Salvation Army’s “Gus Craig” award.
Sheriff Shoar is married to the former Laura Giannotta. They are the parents of two children, Emily 18 and Matthew 15. They live in the Crescent Beach area of our county and they belong to St. Anastasia Catholic Church in St. Augustine.
