Lt. Keri L. DeHart’s interest in law enforcement began at the age of 13 when she became a Sheriff’s Explorer. She knew then that she wanted to serve the community and make a difference in people’s lives.

In her 24 years with the Sheriff’s Office Lt. DeHart has held a variety of assignments, giving her great diversity within agency. She was hired in 1984 as a communications operator. Between 1984 and 1993 she also served in the capacity of a records clerk, reserve deputy and corrections deputy. In April 1993 she achieved her dream of being assigned to road patrol and served in the Murdock area. In 1995 she was assigned to the District II Criminal Investigations Unit and served there for three years before returning to patrol to seek promotional opportunities.

In April 2000 Lt. DeHart was promoted to corporal and continued to serve in the District II area. After 11 years in the Murdock area, she was promoted in April 2004 to sergeant and was transferred to the District III office in Punta Gorda. There she was provided with a variety of opportunities to expand her career development.

On February 14, 2008 she was promoted to lieutenant and transferred to the Community Policing Division which at that time was one of the largest divisions in the agency. While serving in Community Policing she worked with her team to revise the volunteer program for the agency, creating the Volunteer Services Unit to more effectively manage volunteers and match them to departmental needs and to better serve the agency. In January 2009 Lt. DeHart returned to the District III Office as District Commander where she continues to serve with a hard working group of dynamic people.

Lt. DeHart is a senior at Florida Gulf Coast University working on a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Management. She is member of the National Honor Society as well as a member of the Society of Success and Leadership. She also is an active member of the Fraternal Order of Police and has served as the organizations secretary for nine years. She is married and has two children. In her spare time she enjoys horseback riding and kayaking.