Manatee County Welcomes New Sheriff

BRADENTON, FL — There’s a new sheriff in town following a Tuesday morning swearing in that put Rick Wells in charge of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

Wells was sworn into office by Judge Gilbert Smith Jr. at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto. He is now officially the county’s 27th sheriff. Former Sheriff Brad Steube announced his plans to retire back in the summer of 2015. By serving through the end of his term, Steube marked 40 years in law enforcement.

Steube began his law enforcement career in 1976 with the Longboat Key Police Department. He became a sheriff’s deputy in 1978. Through the years, he worked his way up from patrol to special investigations and SWAT, among other posts. He was promoted to sergeant in 1982, lieutenant in 1985, captain in 1993, major in 1997 and became the agency’s chief deputy in 2004.

Wells ran unopposed for the office, which was formerly held by his father, retired Sheriff Charlie Wells.

The younger Wells has more than 31 years’ experience as a law enforcement officer. He began his career with the Manatee County Sheriff’s office in 1984 before serving with the Florida Highway Patrol for 21 years. Rick Wells also served as the chief of the Palmetto Police Department before rejoining the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office as Steube’s second in command.

Rick Wells and his wife, Lupita, have three sons.

Photo courtesy of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page