Dr. Argatha Rigby-Gilmore was reared in Indian River County, Florida. She is a graduate of Vero Beach High School and Indian River Community College. From Florida State University, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology (1980) and a Certified Public Manager certification (CPM 2001). In addition, she has a Master’s Degree in Social Science and Public Administration from Florida A&M University (1991). Dr. Gilmore is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Session #214 (2003) and a graduate of Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government State & Local Executive Program (2002). She successfully completed Florida Department of Law Enforcement Chief Executive Training in 2010. On March 23, 2018, Dr. Gilmore received her Doctorate of Strategic Leadership Foresight Degree from Regent University. She is married to Thomas Franklin Gilmore.
Dr. Gilmore is also active in her community and in her church. Sheis a dedicated and faithful member of Watson Temple Institutional Church of God in Christ (COGIC) under the Pastorate of Dr. Donald E. Sheppard. She served for several years as the President of the Watson Temple Missionary Board. She was appointed as a leader within the Women’s Department of Watson Temple by Dr. Sheppard on October 8, 2017.
Dr. Gilmore’s law enforcement career began at the Tallahassee Police Department on August 31, 1984. She was promoted to Sergeant on June 1, 1991 and supervised several squads in the Uniform Patrol Division. On June 13, 1996, Dr. Gilmore was promoted to Lieutenant and served as a Watch Commander and Administrative Lieutenant in the Neighborhood Services Division.
Dr. Gilmore started out in Patrol as the Alpha District Commander where she and her officers were confronted with drugs, prostitution, andother criminal actions. Additionally, she provided police services and enforcement that were associated with the concerns of university students and their social activities in Tallahassee, including assisting victims of crimes, apprehending suspects, and forming partnerships within the universities. On December 10, 1998, Dr. Gilmore was promoted to Captain and subsequently held a wide variety of management positions. She retired from the Tallahassee Police Department after 25 years of service.
On September 28, 2009, the Mayor of the City of Lake City swore in Police Chief Argatha Gilmore. Under her leadership, the Department renewed its status as an Accredited Law Enforcement Agency in Florida.
On December 3, 2021, Dr. Gilmore was sworn in as Leon County Sheriff’s Office Assistant Sheriff, becoming the first African American female to do so.
Dr. Gilmore’s accomplishments and memberships include:
A recipient of the 2002 Black Achievers’ Award from the NAACP
She was appointed by the Tallahassee Mayor as a member of the Community Improvement Advisory Council
A past member of the Southside Rotary Club of Tallahassee
Former Executive Committee Member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police
Past President of the Third Circuit Police Chiefs Association
Former District 16 Director of The Florida Police Chiefs Association
Former District 2 Director for the Florida League of Cities: Florida Municipal Insurance Trust-LEAP (Law
Enforcement Advisory Panel)
Appointed by the Attorney General’s office as a Board Member of the Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men & Boys, formerly serving as 2nd Vice President
March 23, 2018:Attained Doctoral Degree Strategic Leadership Foresight
October 11, 2018: Received Women in American History Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Edward Rutledge Chapter, Lake City FL
Current memberships include:
The IACP (International Association of Chiefs of Police)Chairman: Policy Administration Committee
Consultant for Partnership for Strong Families
Commissioner on the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation Inc.
Council Member of the Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys
Serves as an international Director of Urban Initiatives for her church
On the international level, Dr. Gilmore has impacted lives during ministry trips to Canada, Brazil and Johannesburg Africa.
Above all, she is a faith-filled woman who has dedicated her life to serving her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!