The Cook family moved to Clay County in the early 80’s when Michelle’s father, a Navy veteran, was stationed at Naval Air Station Cecil Field. Sheriff Cook attended Orange Park Middle School and is a Clay High School graduate.

Sheriff Cook entered the law enforcement profession as a Patrol Officer, working as a beat cop on the street in 1992. With earned promotions throughout her career at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, she retired as a 3-star Director and 3rd in command from the JSO, a 3,300-person agency and the nation’s 25th-largest police department. As Director of Patrol and Enforcement, her responsibilities included the strategic deployment and activities of over 1,000 first responders and community relations personnel and direct management of a budget of over $100 million. She also oversaw the over 1,000 special events that occurred in the downtown Jacksonville area each year. She served as the agency lead on collective bargaining and routinely worked with elected officials while promoting the law enforcement mission.

In 2017, Sheriff Cook accepted the position of Chief of Police for the City of Atlantic Beach, Fl. The Atlantic Beach Police Department (ABPD) is a full-service agency with a 6-million-dollar budget, serves approximately 14,000 residents, and handles approximately 25,000 calls for service each year. Under her leadership, the City of Atlantic Beach saw a decrease in the crime rate and improved employee and citizen morale and support. She is credited with successfully leading the ABPD through the Florida Commission for Law Enforcement Accreditation process. She is also credited for writing the City of Atlantic Beach All-Hazard Response (hurricane) plan.

In early 2020, Sheriff Cook retired from the Atlantic Beach Police Department and began her campaign for Sheriff in the County she was born and raised in. She beat out 5 other candidates to win her primary and was declared the winner of the race for Clay County Sheriff. Shortly after her victory, Governor Ron DeSantis stepped in and asked Michelle to start her term early and on September 1, 2020 she was sworn in as Sheriff of Clay County.

Recognized for her extensive experience and leadership in law enforcement, Sheriff Cook has built a reputation of being a firm, yet compassionate law enforcement leader whose integrity and genuine management style bring respect not only from her work family but also the community she serves.

Sheriff Cook has a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from UNF and a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Public Administration. She is also a graduate of the FBI Law Enforcement Executives (LEEDS – Session 80) training and a member of the Florida Sheriff’s Association.

Sheriff Michelle Cook is married to Don, and they have 6 children between them, 4 of whom were adopted out of the local foster care system.