1989 - 2001

Republican

Richard H. Worch Jr. began his career with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office as a road patrol deputy under Sheriff Alan L. LeBeau. He was instrumental in Glen Sapp's election campaign in 1980 against Sheriff LeBeau. After Sapp was elected Sheriff, Richard Worch was promoted to a lieutenant's position at the Sheriff's Office. Shortly after Sheriff Sapp returned to office in 1986, Worch took a high ranking positin with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. In 1988, Worch ran against Sheriff Sapp and defeated him in the Republican primary election.

Among Worch's first tasks was to get the Sheriff's Office accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. In order to accomplish this, the scant policies that existed had to be re-written and existing equipment issued to deputies had to be standardized.

Sheriff Worch instituted a "community policing" philosophy at the Sheriff's Office. He also began the "district" concept by initially dividing the county into three patrol districts. As Charlotte County grew, the busiest district that covered Port Charlotte and Murdock areas was divided to make a total of four districts that the Sheriff's Office operated out of.

During his tenure, Sheriff Worch had a long list of programs that he began. He also became the first elected sheriff since 1959 to complete his term of office without having gone through a Grand Jury investigation.

After 12 years in office, Sheriff Worch was defeated in the 2000 election by Democrat William E. Clement.