Commander Deborah Wesley has spent more than three decades serving and protecting Jacksonville. A lifelong Jacksonville resident and dedicated public servant, Deborah is running for Jacksonville City Council At-Large, Group 1 to bring experienced, principled leadership and a commitment to putting Jacksonville families first.
Deborah began her career with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in 1991 and has proudly served the community for more than 35 years. Throughout her distinguished career, she has risen through the ranks as an Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Internal Affairs Investigator, and retired as a Commander on Sheriff T.K. Waters’ Command Staff, overseeing the Department of Corrections. Her career has been defined by integrity, accountability, and a steadfast commitment to public safety.
As a lifelong public safety professional, Deborah understands that safe neighborhoods are the foundation of a strong community. She believes City Hall must focus on supporting law enforcement, protecting taxpayer dollars through fiscal discipline, and delivering common-sense solutions that improve the quality of life for Jacksonville families, seniors, and small businesses.
A graduate of Jean Ribault Senior High School, Deborah earned her bachelor’s degree in Supervision and Management from Florida State College at Jacksonville. Her leadership has been recognized throughout her career, including being named JSO Supervisor of the Month and receiving the 2020 Female First Responder of the Year Award from the Jax Chamber Professional Women’s Council. She was also selected by her fellow officers to represent Jacksonville in the Law Enforcement Olympics for eleven consecutive years.
Outside of her professional career, Deborah has dedicated nearly two decades to mentoring and coaching young people through local athletic programs, including the Greater Jacksonville Pop Warner Football Conference. She also serves as Director of the Women’s Ministry at New Life Evangelistic Center, where she continues her lifelong commitment to serving others through faith and community.
Deborah and her family have deep roots in Jacksonville, and she believes the city’s best days are still ahead. On the City Council, she will bring the same leadership, discipline, and dedication that have defined her career – working every day to keep Jacksonville safe, strengthen neighborhoods, protect taxpayers, and ensure local government remains accountable to the people it serves.
