When Brian Harrington was a young police officer, he would get off duty, go home and listen to his scanner. If he was close to a call, he would leave his home, jump in his patrol car and respond.
“Now, I wouldn’t have done that, Brian,” remarked St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar. “A man who cared so much not only about the job and the citizens but about his brothers and sisters. … Brian, today is our day to thank you.”
Shoar led the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office (SJSO) Feb. 1 in celebrating the career of Harrington, who recently announced his retirement. Most recently the commander of SJSO’s Northeast District, which encompasses Ponte Vedra, Harrington served the agency for 23 years. Held at SJSO’s Squadroom in St. Augustine, the event also honored the retirement of Carol McCullar, a longtime employee of the Sheriff’s Office who served as executive assistant to the sheriff for 16 years, as well as in a few other positions over 31 years of service.
As noted by Shoar, Harrington started his career with SJSO in 1995 as a reserve. He was a road deputy from 1996 to 2001, a senior law enforcement officer from 2001 to 2004 and then a senior trained deputy from 2004 to 2005. He became a patrol shift leader, which is when he became a sergeant, and then served as cops coordinator from 2006 to 2011. He returned to the role of shift leader and then got promoted in 2012 to lieutenant. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed to SJSO’s executive staff as commander of Central Investigations from 2013 to 2015. He finished his career as the commander of the Northeast Division.
“I’d like to recognize for you and all these folks here and your family, you made it to a rank of commander, and that is not an easy thing to accomplish,” said 7th Judicial Circuit State Attorney R.J. Larizza, who presented Harrington with a plaque for his service. “You didn’t do it because of who you knew or where you came from, you did it on your own. You worked your way up. For any person to work their way up and accomplish what you have, that is an inspiration.”
Harrington’s list of commendations is significant, receiving the Division Director’s Award in 1998, the Exceptional Service Award in 2001, the Lifesaving Award in 2001, the Guy White Award in 2003 (top cop of the year) and the Sheriff’s Commendation.
In addition to Shoar and Larizza, a few others provided remarks in honor of Harrington’s career. Deputy Keith Schiffer, the youth resource officer at Ponte Vedra High School who worked with Harrington for 20 years, reflected on a few experiences that were impactful to him. One of which was five years ago when Schiffer’s mother died from cancer. When he was at the podium of the church looking out at those in attendance to pay their respects, he observed three deputies dressed in green, one of whom was Harrington.
“The respect that you conveyed that day in the church for this deputy and his family made a very deep impression upon me and a memory I will always remember when someone speaks of Brian Harrington,” Schiffer said.
Schiffer also recalled numerous times when Harrington would take the time to stop into Ponte Vedra High to simply say hello and check in. In addition, Schiffer said when he underwent a few surgeries over the past few years, Harrington called home and checked on him and his family.
“Little gestures like that tend to help us heal a little bit quicker,” Schiffer said.
SJSO Undersheriff Matthew Cline and Lt. Shawn Lee also recognized Harrington, with both providing gifts to the former commander. Chief Derek Barrs of the Florida Highway Patrol additionally presented Harrington with a plaque and made some remarks. Toward the end of the event, Shoar presented Harrington with his service weapon, as well as a watch and a letter written by the sheriff. As noted by Shoar, Harrington will also be receiving a letter from President Donald Trump in recognition of his service.
Before enjoying cake and refreshments, the event concluded with Harrington providing closing words.
“The big thing I would tell all of you is make sure you take care of each other,” said Harrington, who is being succeeded by Scott Beaver in the role of Northeast District commander. “There’s a lot going on out in the world. I still feel this place has this karma to it. It’s a family. Make sure you think of others first, if you can, and take care of each other in any way possible.
“Since I got promoted to executive staff and I had the privilege of being on executive staff, it’s not so much about your jobs and what you’re doing in life on the journey that we’re on, it’s the people you meet along the way,” Harrington added. “I just want all of you to know that. I thank all of you for being part of my life, and I have a treasure trove of memories of all of you. So, thank you.”
