Sheriff Robert L. Crowder

OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF
ROBERT L. "BOB" CROWDER
(772) 220-7000

Karen Williams
Administrative Assistant
(772) 220-7024
kwilliam@sheriff.martin.fl.us


PERSONAL:
Born Nashville, Tennessee - 1945.
A Martin County resident since 1959.
Married, four children.
Wife, Debbie, is a retired consultant.
One daughter, three sons, five grandchildren.


POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Republican


EDUCATION:
Martin County High School, Class of 1963.
Indian River Police Academy.
Institute of Applied Science, Chicago, Illinois.
Indian River Community College, A.A. Degree.
Florida Atlantic University, B.A. Degree.
FBI National Academy, Quantico, Virginia.
Senior Management Institute for Police, North Andover, Massachusetts. Chief Executive Seminar, Florida Department of Law Enforcement


CAREER:
Sheriff of Martin County, elected in 1992
Re-elected 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008
Former Undersheriff of St. Lucie County
Former Chief Investigator for Martin County Sheriff
Served as Interim Sheriff of Martin County 1972-1973

Bob Crowder began his law enforcement career working as a dispatcher for the Martin County Sheriff's Office in 1965. While attending college, he worked as a dispatcher, jailer, clerk, and fingerprint technician.

In 1968, Crowder became a patrolman for the Stuart Police Department. In 1969, he was appointed as the first detective in the history of the city and implemented their criminal records and identification files.

While serving with the City of Stuart in 1972, Crowder was appointed by Governor Reubin Askew to serve as Sheriff of Martin County. Crowder became the youngest sheriff in the history of Florida. Sheriff James Holt hired Crowder to be his Chief Criminal Investigator, a position he held for over ten years.

In 1984, St. Lucie County Sheriff-elect R.C. "Bobby" Knowles asked Crowder to serve as his Undersheriff, a position he held for eight years.

Crowder has been listed in Outstanding Young Men of America (1975) and West's Who's Who in American Law Enforcement Leadership (1991).

In July 2003, Sheriff Crowder was elected to serve as the President of the Florida Sheriff's Association. This organization is a not-for-profit corporation consisting of 67 Florida Sheriffs, business leaders and citizens throughout the state. This corporation was established in 1910 and provides the sheriffs the opportunity to share information including but not limited to legislative issues, task forces and legal services.


AWARDS - Law Enforcement

Listed in West’s Who’s Who in the U.S Law enforcement Leaders, 1990-1991 edition

Outstanding Young Law Enforcement Officer, 1970, Stuart-Jensen Beach, Florida Jaycees

Outstanding Police Marksman, 1968 Indian River Police Academy


AWARDS - Community Service

March of Dimes, 1997 Citizen of the Year

Listed in Outstanding Young Men of America, 1975 edition

Distinguished Service Award, 1972 Stuart-Jensen Beach, Florida Jaycees

Exemplary Citizenship and Outstanding Public Service 1972, Civitan Club of Stuart

Florida Governor's Award of Merit for Youth Conservation Education 1962, Florida Wildlife Federation

Distinguished Leadership Award 1994 National Assoc. for Community Leadership


AWARDS - Military

"Outstanding Performance and Achievement in Recruit Training", 1963, (Leatherneck Magazine)

Nominated for the American Spirit Honor medal. United States Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC, Aug.1963