Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.
James H. Scott, who was appointed by Governor Reubin Askew to serve as Jefferson County Sheriff in 1971, has passed away at the age of 85 at home on July 2, 2025.
Sheriff Scott served Jefferson County for 13 years. He was a leader in establishing drug-prevention programs in schools, publishing one of Florida's earliest anti-drug education manuals. He served on the board of directors for the Florida Sheriffs Association from 1973 to 1977 and from 1979 to 1983, including as vice president in 1977, president in 1978 and chairman of the board in 1983.
Scott became the first Florida sheriff to graduate from the National Intelligence Academy in 1975 and completed the FBI National Academy at Quantico in 1977. After serving as Jefferson County Sheriff until 1984, he worked for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, conducting fugitive investigations and officer training statewide until his retirement in 1998.
See the full obituary at www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/ecbpublishing/name/james-scott-obituary?id=59293595.
A Celebration of Life commemorating his duty, honor and legacy to law enforcement will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, at Beggs Funeral Home chapel in Monticello, Fla., beginning at 11 a.m.