Alachua County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson to retire after 21 years

Jan 3, 2025 1:05 pm
Alachua County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Art Forgey will retire on Monday, Jan. 6. Courtesy of ACSO
Alachua County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Art Forgey will retire on Monday, Jan. 6.
Courtesy of ACSO

On Monday, Art Forgey will step down from more than three decades of service in law enforcement, including the past 21 years with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.

Forgey started his career in law enforcement in January 1988 in Ozark, Missouri, with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office after graduating from the police academy. He moved to Florida after a car accident that left him paralyzed.

“I’ve been thinking about it probably for a good eight months or so,” said Forgey, ACSO’s Public Information Officer (PIO), in a phone interview. “It was just time.”

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Forgey’s last day is the same day as outgoing Alachua County Sheriff Emery Gainey, who will be replaced by Chad Scott, who won the November election.

Art Forgey early in his career.
Courtesy of Art Forgey Art Forgey early in his career.

After 35 years in law enforcement, Forgey didn’t hesitate when asked what he will miss the most.

“The people,” he said, referring to his colleagues in law enforcement. “It truly is a family.”

With family located throughout the country, Forgey will not be at a loss for things to do.

“I have a son that is a nurse anesthetist who lives in [Washington] D.C. and another son that’s a pharmaceutical quality control guy. He lives in Asheville [North Carolina],” he said. “And I have a sister in Nashville and then family in Missouri, so I’ve got a lot of touristy places I need to go check out.”

Florida, however, will remain home for the time being.

“For now, I plan to stay, but what’s down the road? I don’t know,” Forgey said. “There’s always the thought of moving up closer to my boys

Moving forward at ACSO, the PIO duties will be handled by Sgt. Frank Kinsey and Lisa Sacaccio.

Art Forgey (right) with Alachua County Sheriff Emery Gainey. Courtesy of Art Forgey
Courtesy of Art Forgey Art Forgey (right) with Alachua County Sheriff Emery Gainey.
Art Forgey in Ozark, Missouri.
Courtesy of Art Forgey Art Forgey in Ozark, Missouri.

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  • C.J. Gish

    C.J. Gish is the senior editor for Mainstreet Daily News. He is a Pacific Northwest transplant who grew up in Oregon and moved to Florida in 2018. C.J. has spent more than 30 years in media, public relations and marketing, including stints as a newspaper reporter, working at two TV stations (FOX and ABC) in Boise, and as a media specialist for Eastern Oregon University. C.J. enjoys sports, especially the NFL and NBA, and is the father to three amazing adult children. Send story ideas to editor@mainstreetdailynews.com

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Lottye Manns

Art enjoy your retirement. It was really nice working along side you while I was at CCC. Be good to yourself! 💜👋🙏
Enjoy life to the fullest because tomorrow is not promised to us.

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Jim

Total class act who sets the standard.

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Sadie Darnell

Art has been the touchstone of the Public Information Office at ACSO having served with four Sheriff’s. He is an inspiration to more people than he will ever know. His sense of humor, tremendous work ethic and code of honor is unmatched. I learned so much from him and benefited from his guidance for 14 wonderful years. He will be a huge loss to ACSO and, fortunately, will remain in our community as an ongoing asset.

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