Undersheriff Cave was raised in Tallahassee and graduated from Godby High School after which he attended and graduated from Thomas University with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Furthering his education, Ron attained a master’s degree in Political Science from Florida State University, a master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of West Florida, a master’s Certificate in Public Administration from the University of West Florida, and a master’s Certificate in Public Safety Leadership from the University of Virginia. He is a graduate of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Senior Leadership and Chief Executive Programs, and the FBI National Academy, Session 289. Ron actively contributes to the academic community by serving as an adjunct professor teaching courses in political science and criminal justice and has lectured on various topics related to criminal justice, public policy and administration, the Florida Legislature, and political science.
In addition to being a certified law enforcement officer and a certified correctional officer, Ron holds criminal justice instructor certifications in general topics, firearms, defensive tactics, and vehicle operations. Ron has served both state and local criminal justice agencies in various positions since 1995, with roles including dispatcher, investigator (internal affairs and criminal), deputy sheriff, lieutenant, captain, major, chief over field and statewide operations, director, assistant sheriff, and chief of staff.
Prior to joining LCSO, Ron led the State Law Enforcement Chiefs’ Association as its longest serving president (2010-2015). His record of professional leadership includes service on the File Review Committee and Team Leader for the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation; the Law Enforcement Regional Training Trust Fund Board (chair); Domestic Violence Task Force (chair); the Florida Criminal Justice Training Center Directors Association; the Governor’s Council on Integrity and Efficiency; the Florida Marine Intelligence Unit (president); and as an executive board member for Keep Tallahassee-Leon County Beautiful. Ron also served as an appointed member of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Executive Institute Policy Board. Ron currently serves on the Tallahassee Community College, Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, board for Choose Tallahassee and on the board for the Big Bend Habitat for Humanity.
Ron previously served as the Director of Security and Law Enforcement for the Florida Lottery, overseeing the security and law enforcement functions, and ensuring the integrity of Florida’s then nearly $7 billion lottery system. In this position, Ron served as the Florida Lottery’s Emergency Coordinating Officer (ECO) and Continuity of Operations (COOP) Coordinator and was responsible for planning, organizing, and directing all activities of the Florida Lottery law enforcement division.
Currently, Ron serves as the Undersheriff of Leon County, and is second in command of the agency.
Ron resides in Tallahassee, with his wife with whom he has one adult daughter.
Affiliations (current and past)
· Executive Board of Directors, Habitat for Humanity
· Executive Board of Directors, Choose Tallahassee
· Rotary, Tallahassee
· Advisory Board Member, Tallahassee Community College, Criminal Justice Programs
· Advisory Board Member, Florida Department of Law Enforcement,
Executive Institute Policy Board
· President, State Law Enforcement Chiefs’ Association
· Committee Member, Florida Police Accreditation Coalition, File Review Committee
· Committee Member, Joint Task Force-State Law Enforcement Radio System
· Board Secretary, National Board of Wildlife Interstate Compact Administrators
· President, Florida Marine Intelligence Unit
· Chairman, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Region XV Trust Fund
· Head Coach, Community Junior Softball Team
· Member, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Region XV Trust Fund
· Member, Florida Criminal Justice Training Center Directors Association
· 2nd and 3rd Vice President, Conference Chair and Awards Chair, State Law Enforcement
Chiefs’ Association
· Vice Chairman, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Region XV Trust Fund
· Chairman, Domestic Violence Task Force
· Member, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Region XV Trust Fund
· Executive Board Member, Keep Tallahassee-Leon County Beautiful
Awards and Recognition
· Tallahassee Community College, Law Enforcement Hall of Fame Inductee
· North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries, Lottery Employee “Making a
Difference” Recognition
· Executive Office of the Governor, Commendation
· Florida Cabinet, Special Resolution
· Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Community Involvement Award
· Employer Support of Guard and Reserve, Above and Beyond Award
· Key West Police Department, Chief of Police Certificate of Appreciation
· Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, Assessor of the Year
· Criminal Justice Training Center Directors Association, Achievement Award
· Department of Environmental Protection, Secretary Commendation
· Department of Environmental Protection, Manager of the Year Award
· Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, Commendation
· Department of Environmental Protection, Director of Law Enforcement Commendation
· Punta Gorda Police Department, Chief of Police Certificate of Appreciation
· Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Director’s Certificate of Appreciation
· Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Chief’s Commendation
· State Law Enforcement Chiefs’ Association, President Commendation
· Davis Productivity, Commendation
· Florida Office of Drug Control, Certificate of Appreciation
· Florida Statewide Prevention, Commendation
· Department of Revenue, Office of Inspector General, Special Recognition Award
· Department of Corrections, Warden Commendation
· Department of Correction, Life Saving Award
· Tallahassee Police Department, Police Service and Life Saving Award