Sheriff's Command Staff

Sheriff Al Nienhuis

Sheriff Al Nienhuis began his full-time law enforcement career in 1989 as a Special Agent with the State of Florida, Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. He attained the rank of Captain in the Fort Myers District Office before leaving in January 2001 to serve as Undersheriff for the Pasco County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Nienhuis holds both bachelor's and master's degrees in Business Management from the University of South Florida. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy (Class 197) in Quantico, Virginia. Sheriff Nienhuis was appointed Sheriff of Hernando County by the Governor in January 2011. He was subsequently elected by the citizens of Hernando County in 2012, ran unopposed in 2016, and was re-elected in 2020 and 2024. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Florida Sheriffs Association, holding several leadership positions including Vice Chair, Chair, Secretary, and Vice President. In 2022, he was elected as the 100th President of the Florida Sheriffs Association. He currently serves as Chair of the Florida Sheriffs Ranches Enterprises Board of Directors. Sheriff Nienhuis is the Chief Law Enforcement and Correctional Officer of Hernando County. As a constitutional officer, the Sheriff has the exclusive authority to administer his agency. He is responsible for preserving the peace throughout the county, carrying out the laws of the State of Florida, enforcing the orders of Florida courts, and upholding the ordinances of the Board of County Commissioners.

Chief Deputy Kenneth Hayden

Chief Deputy Kenneth Hayden has served with the Hernando County Sheriff's Office since January 1997. Colonel Hayden's prior assignments include Operations Bureau Commander, Captain of Special Operations, Commander of the Major Crimes Section, Professional Standards Section Commander, District 1 Administrative Sergeant, Accreditation Manager, Patrol Sergeant, Rapid Response Team Sergeant, COPPS Deputy, and Patrol Deputy. Colonel Hayden holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from the University of South Florida and a Master's Degree in Strategic Leadership from Mountain State University. Colonel Hayden also completed the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Executive Leadership Seminar in 2019.

Major Shaun Klucznik

Major Shaun Klucznik serves as the Judicial Services Bureau Commander and Jail Administrator at the Hernando County Sheriff's Office. He has been working in the criminal justice field since 1997 and holds dual certification in both corrections and law enforcement. Throughout his career at the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, Major Klucznik has held several key positions, including Judicial Services Captain, Special Operations Captain, Detention Operations Lieutenant, Special Operations Lieutenant, and Acting Human Resources Director. Major Klucznik is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Session 283, and the American Jail Association's National Jail Leadership Command Academy, Class 10. He currently serves as President of the American Jail Association (2025-2026) and as a Commissioner on the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission. He is also a Certified Jail Manager through the American Jail Association. Major Klucznik holds an Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from St. Petersburg College, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University, a Master of Arts Degree in Philosophy from Saint John Vianney College Seminary in Miami, and a Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia.

Major Philip Lakin

Major Philip Lakin currently serves as the Law Enforcement Operations Bureau commander. He began his career in 1989 as a police officer for the City of Somerville, Massachusetts Housing Authority. In 2002, Major Lakin attained Florida law enforcement certification at the Southeastern Public Safety Institute in St. Petersburg. He began his service with the Hernando County Sheriff's Office in 2002 as a patrol deputy and further progressed to serve as a field training officer, Property Crimes Detective, Major Case Detective, District Two Patrol Sergeant, Major Case Crimes against Persons Sergeant, Lieutenant Night Watch Commander, District One Commander, District Two Commander, and Professional Standards Commander, Judicial Services Bureau Captain and Patrol Division Commander. Major Lakin is a graduate of the International Association of Chiefs of Police's Leadership in Police Organizations program, the FBI-Leeda Executive Leadership Institute, and a 2022 graduate of the Southern Police Institute's Command Officer Development Course. He has an associate's degree in criminal justice, and a bachelor's degree in public safety administration from St. Petersburg College. Current or recent affiliations include the Florida Homicide Investigator's Association, Boy's and Girl's Club of Hernando County-Board of Directors, the Community Health Improvement Planning Partnership Board, the Hernando County Community Alliance Executive Roundtable and he also sits on the board of directors for Mid Florida Community Services.

Chief Administrative Officer Terri Staff

Chief Administrative Officer Terri Staff joined the Hernando County Sheriff's Office in 2011 as the Finance Director, having served in a similar position at Spring Hill Fire and Rescue until it was absorbed by the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners in 2011. Terri began her career in governmental accounting in 2003 as an Accounting Supervisor for the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners. In 2004 she became the Proprietary Funds Accountant for the Hernando County Clerk of Circuit Courts and then joined Hernando County government as the Assistant Director of the Office of Management and Budget in 2006. Terri holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Baldwin-Wallace College and a Master's degree in Accounting from Saint Leo University. She is a Certified Government Finance Officer and a Certified District Manager in the state of Florida. Active memberships include the Florida Government Finance Officers Association (FGFOA), along with the Nature Coast Chapter of the FGFOA. As a member of the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, Terri was promoted to Comptroller in 2015 and continues to oversee the Finance Section which is responsible for all phases of budgeting, accounting and reporting, payroll, and fiscal control activities. Finance maintains all financial records for the Sheriff's Office and works diligently to secure and monitor grants for additional funding.

Legal Counsel Ashley Miller

Ashley Miller serves as Legal Counsel to Sheriff Al Nienhuis. Ms. Miller joined the HCSO in early 2023, after having served as an Assistant State Attorney in Pasco County (Florida) for just over three years. She graduated from the University of North Florida in 2015, with Bachelor's degrees in both Psychology and Sociology. Ms. Miller went on to the Florida State University College of Law, where she received her Juris Doctorate in 2018. Ms. Miller has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2019.

Public Information Officer, Corporal Michael Terry

Cpl. Michael Terry currently serves as the Public Information Officer for the Hernando County Sheriff's Office. Cpl. Terry joined the HCSO in 2014 as a community relations specialist, after working for more than a decade in journalism. He is a graduate of the University of Kansas (2000) with a bachelor's degree in journalism. In 2016, Cpl. Terry graduated from the Withlachoochee Technical College Auxiliary Law Enforcement Academy. In 2018, he became a certified Florida Crime Prevention Practitioner. In 2022, Cpl. Terry graduated from Class 1 of the Wilton Simpson Law Enforcement Academy and became a Reserve Deputy Sheriff. In 2024, he transitioned to a full-time Deputy Sheriff and later that year was appointed Corporal over Media Relations.

Chief Administrative Officer Terri Staff

Chief Administrative Officer Terri Staff joined the Hernando County Sheriff's Office in 2011 as the Finance Director, having served in a similar position at Spring Hill Fire and Rescue until it was absorbed by the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners in 2011. Terri began her career in governmental accounting in 2003 as an Accounting Supervisor for the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners. In 2004 she became the Proprietary Funds Accountant for the Hernando County Clerk of Circuit Courts and then joined Hernando County government as the Assistant Director of the Office of Management and Budget in 2006. Terri holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Baldwin-Wallace College and a Master's degree in Accounting from Saint Leo University. She is a Certified Government Finance Officer and a Certified District Manager in the state of Florida. Active memberships include the Florida Government Finance Officers Association (FGFOA), along with the Nature Coast Chapter of the FGFOA. As a member of the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, Terri was promoted to Comptroller in 2015 and continues to oversee the Finance Section which is responsible for all phases of budgeting, accounting and reporting, payroll, and fiscal control activities. Finance maintains all financial records for the Sheriff's Office and works diligently to secure and monitor grants for additional funding.

Information Technology Director Mathew Balogh

Information Technology Director Matthew Balogh has been an employee of the Hernando County Sheriff's Office since 2002. He has held several positions in the Information Technology Section including Computer Technician, Network Support Technician and Network Administrator. He became the agency's Director of Information Technology in 2012. He received an associate degree in information technology computer network systems from ITT Technical Institute in 2002 and a bachelor's degree in management from Hodges University in 2010. In 2018 Director Balogh achieved certification as a Government Chief Information Officer and he holds several IT certifications including MCSE and CCNA. Matthew strives to implement new technology that benefits the core goals of the Hernando County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office IT Section is an 9-member team that is responsible for maintaining the mission critical systems of the Sheriff's Office. Some of the many systems the team maintains include:

• Hernando County's primary and back-up 911 system, 800-MHZ radio system, and consolidated dispatch center including the computer-aided dispatch system used by the Sheriff's Office, Hernando County Fire Rescue, Brooksville Fire Department, and others.
• Over 700 Sheriff's Office 800-MHZ radios, the agency phone system with over 500 phones, and agency email system with nearly 600 users.
• Desktop and laptop computers including mobile data terminals in HCSO patrol cars.
• Jail management and security systems.
• Sheriff's Office records management system, payroll and HR software, crime mapping software, the Sheriff's Office website, and a variety of other internal hardware and software systems.
• Sheriff's Office website and a variety of other internal hardware and software systems.

Human Resources Director Robert Littrell

Human Resources Director Robert Littrell joined the Hernando County Sheriff's Office in 2021. He brings a variety of human resources experience from active duty U.S. Army, manufacturing, private corrections, legal services and most recently, the fire service. He served as the Manager of Human Resources at the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center, which held contracts for the Federal Bureau of Prisons and United States Marshals Service, as well as transfers for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. While there, he contributed to many corporate initiatives in quality assurance, policy writing, and auditing tools. Mr. Littrell's public service and local government experience was acquired as the Human Resource Manager for the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District in Lee County, Florida. He was the agency's lead labor negotiator, with counsel, and was heavily involved in many areas of administration. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business with a focus in human resources from Kent State University and Mr. Littrell obtained the designation of Florida Association of Special Districts Certified District Manager in 2020. The Human Resources Section is responsible for personnel management from recruiting through retirement. Our very high standards for selection and retention ensure only the best-qualified candidates are privileged to serve the community. In turn, we provide administrative support and offer a variety benefits promoting wellness and quality of life for our team, and their families, enabling them to focus on their mission.

Finance Director Albert Bertram

Finance Director Albert Bertram, joined the Hernando County Sheriff's Office in 2025 as Finance Director. Prior to this role, he served nearly two years and completed two full budget cycles as the Director of the Office of Management & Budget for Hernando County Government. Before relocating to Florida, Albert spent most of his life in Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula, where he held several financial leadership positions. He served as Finance Specialist for the Bay Mills Community College Charter Schools Office, overseeing financial operations for 43 authorized schools, and later continued as a contracted field representative and adjunct instructor at the college level. Albert also served the Bay Mills Indian Community as its elected Treasurer, Tribal Manager, and ultimately the Chief Financial Officer, where he managed all governmental and enterprise financial operations, including banking and investments. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration–management from Lake Superior State University, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with an accounting concentration and an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree from the University of Michigan–Flint, and has completed all but his dissertation toward a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership. Albert and his family have long-standing ties to Hernando County, dating back to 1961, which inspired their move from Michigan to Florida.

Communications Director Samantha Johnson

Samantha Johnson serves as the Director of Communications for the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. In this role, she oversees the operations of the Emergency Communications Center and Records Division. Mrs. Johnson began her career with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office in 2006 and has served in multiple roles within the Communications Center supporting Law Enforcement, Fire, and EMS operations. She is dedicated to strengthening team development, advancing training initiatives, and leadership growth within the organization. Mrs. Johnson is an Emergency Number Professional (ENP) and a graduate of several public safety programs to include APCO’s Registered Public-Safety Leader (RPL) program. She serves as a Committee Member of APCO International as well as serving as a Board Member for the Florida Chapter of APCO, supporting statewide training and professional development for emergency communications personnel.

Major Shaun Klucznik

Major Shaun Klucznik serves as the Judicial Services Bureau Commander and Jail Administrator at the Hernando County Sheriff's Office. He has been working in the criminal justice field since 1997 and holds dual certification in both corrections and law enforcement. Throughout his career at the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, Major Klucznik has held several key positions, including Judicial Services Captain, Special Operations Captain, Detention Operations Lieutenant, Special Operations Lieutenant, and Acting Human Resources Director. Major Klucznik is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Session 283, and the American Jail Association's National Jail Leadership Command Academy, Class 10. He currently serves as President of the American Jail Association (2025-2026) and as a Commissioner on the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission. He is also a Certified Jail Manager through the American Jail Association. Major Klucznik holds an Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from St. Petersburg College, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University, a Master of Arts Degree in Philosophy from Saint John Vianney College Seminary in Miami, and a Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia.

Captain Justin Beetz

Captain Justin Beetz serves as the Judicial Services Division Commander and Deputy Jail Administrator at the Hernando County Sheriff's Office. He has been working in the criminal justice field since 2013 and holds dual certification in both corrections and law enforcement. Captain Beetz is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Session 296, and the National Institute for Jail Operations Elite Academy, Class 4. He is also a Certified Jail Manager through the American Jail Association. Captain Beetz holds both an Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice as well as a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from St. Petersburg College.

Medical Director Kristine DeKany

Medical Director Kristine DeKany is a Registered Nurse who began her career in correctional health care in 2000. She completed her Associate's Degree in nursing at Pasco-Hernando Community College in 2006, her Bachelor's Degree of Science in Management at Hodges University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2008, and her Master's Degree Health Science with an emphasis in Health Care Administration from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2011. Kristine has held a seat on the Florida Model Jail Standards Medical subcommittee since 2004 and has served as chair of the committee from 2008 to 2020. Kristine is an FMJS Medical Services Inspector and has participated as subject matter expert for FMJS, FDLE, and NCCHC. Kristine achieved recognition as the first Certified Corrections Nurse in the State of Florida through the American Correctional Association in 2007.

Major Philip Lakin

Major Philip Lakin currently serves as the Law Enforcement Operations Bureau commander. He began his career in 1989 as a police officer for the City of Somerville, Massachusetts Housing Authority. In 2002, Major Lakin attained Florida law enforcement certification at the Southeastern Public Safety Institute in St. Petersburg. He began his service with the Hernando County Sheriff's Office in 2002 as a patrol deputy and further progressed to serve as a field training officer, Property Crimes Detective, Major Case Detective, District Two Patrol Sergeant, Major Case Crimes against Persons Sergeant, Lieutenant Night Watch Commander, District One Commander, District Two Commander, and Professional Standards Commander, Judicial Services Bureau Captain and Patrol Division Commander. Major Lakin is a graduate of the International Association of Chiefs of Police's Leadership in Police Organizations program, the FBI-Leeda Executive Leadership Institute, and a 2022 graduate of the Southern Police Institute's Command Officer Development Course. He has an associate's degree in criminal justice, and a bachelor's degree in public safety administration from St. Petersburg College. Current or recent affiliations include the Florida Homicide Investigator's Association, Boy's and Girl's Club of Hernando County-Board of Directors, the Community Health Improvement Planning Partnership Board, the Hernando County Community Alliance Executive Roundtable and he also sits on the board of directors for Mid Florida Community Services.

Captain John Cameron

Captain John Cameron serves as the Special Operations Division Commander, which includes Aviation, K-9, Marine, Traffic and other specialty units within the Sheriff's Office. Captain Cameron has served with the Hernando County Sheriff's Office since 1995. Captain Cameron's prior assignments include District One Commander, Administrative Support Commander, Vice and Narcotics Unit Commander, Watch Commander and Detention Operations Commander. Captain Cameron has also supervised various units within the agency, to include Patrol, Community Policing, Criminal Investigations, School Resource Officers, Traffic Unit, Mounted Unit, and serving as District One Administrative Sergeant. Captain Cameron is a member of the Florida Narcotics Officers' Association and Florida Gang Investigators Association. He is the Vice President of the Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency Chapter 30. Captain Cameron is a graduate of the Florida Sheriffs Association Commanders Academy.

Captain Anthony Piarulli

Captain Anthony Piarulli commands the Criminal Investigation Division which includes the Major Case, Vice and Narcotics, and Scientific Investigations (Forensics) Sections. Captain Piarulli obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice in 2001 and began his law enforcement career with the Pasco Sheriff's Office as a child protective investigator. In 2004, Capt. Piarulli transitioned to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office and worked as a patrol deputy, district detective and gang detective. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2009 and has worked as the District Two Patrol sergeant, District Two administrative sergeant and Selective Enforcement Unit sergeant. In 2015 he was promoted to lieutenant and has served as the District One commander, District Two commander, Special Operations Division commander, Vice and Narcotics commander and Major Case commander. Captain Piarulli is a graduate of the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy training series and is a member of the board of directors for Kids Central, Inc.

Captain Andrew Batchelder

Captain Andrew Batchelder serves as the District 2 Patrol Division Commander, overseeing service to the citizens of Hernando County through uniformed patrol, criminal investigations (property crimes) and civilian public service technicians. Captain Batchelder began his career as a correctional officer at the Hernando County jail in 1994. He has attended Pasco-Hernando Community College, St. Leo University, and Withlacoochee Technical Institute for corrections and law enforcement crossover training. In 1995, he was sworn in as a reserve police officer with the Bushnell Police Department and in 1996, he was hired as a deputy sheriff at the Hernando County Sheriff's Office. Assignments with the Hernando County Sheriff's Office include patrol deputy, Community Policing deputy, Traffic deputy, Rapid Response Team member, and hostage negotiator. In 2009, Capt. Batchelder was promoted to the rank of sergeant and worked Patrol in District 2. In 2011, he was transferred to supervise the Traffic Unit. In 2013, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and worked in the Special Operations Division as the Operations Support commander. During his time as a Lieutenant, Batchelder also served as the Major Case Section commander, night watch commander and the Area Operations Support commander.

Director of Forensic Science Kinsey Boylan

Director of Forensic Science Kinsey Boylan joined the Hernando County Sheriff's Office in 2005 as a Forensic Technician I. Since, she has held the positions of Forensic Technician II, Forensic Specialist and was promoted to the Director of Forensic Science in November of 2016. Director Boylan has received her Associate in Science degree in Crime Scene Technology from St. Petersburg College and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science with a concentration in Criminal Justice from the University of South Florida. In 2006, she gained the status of a court accepted expert in bloodstain pattern analysis. Director Boylan oversees the Forensic Unit, Biometric Unit and Multi-Media Unit. She serves on the Pasco-Hernando State College Crime Scene Technical Advisory Committee and is an active member of the International Association for Identification.

Captain Thomas Valdez

Captain Tom Valdez serves as the District 1 Patrol Commander, where he oversees uniformed patrol operations, property crimes investigations, and public service technicians. With more than two decades of law enforcement experience, Captain Valdez began his career in 1998 as a correctional officer at the Hernando County Jail, building a strong foundation in public safety and corrections. Over the course of his career, Captain Valdez has served with multiple agencies, including the Bushnell Police Department, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. His assignments within HCSO have been extensive and diverse, including patrol operations, the Selective Enforcement Unit, property crimes investigations, vice and narcotics, and the SWAT team, where he served from 2002 through 2025. In 2016, Captain Valdez was promoted to sergeant, serving in the patrol division while also taking on the role of SWAT Team Commander. He later transitioned in 2017 to supervise the Selective Enforcement Unit and, in 2018, was selected to lead the Vice and Narcotics Unit. His continued commitment to leadership and operational excellence resulted in his promotion to lieutenant in 2020, where he served as the Night Watch Commander in Patrol. During his tenure as a lieutenant, he also held key leadership roles as District 2 Commander, Special Operations Division Commander, and supervisor of Professional Standards. In 2025, Captain Valdez was promoted to the rank of captain and assumed his current role as District 1 Patrol Commander. His leadership approach reflects a deep understanding of law enforcement operations, personnel development, and organizational accountability. Captain Valdez’s professional experience is supported by a strong educational background. He has attended Pasco-Hernando State College, International College, St. Leo University, and Withlacoochee Technical Institute for Law Enforcement and corrections crossover training. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management and a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice. With a career defined by dedication, adaptability, and leadership, Captain Valdez remains committed to serving and protecting the citizens of Hernando County with professionalism and integrity.

Captain John McMurdo

Captain John McMurdo serves as the Administrative Operations Division Commander for the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, overseeing Professional Standards and the School Resource Officer Unit. Professional Standards includes the Law Enforcement Academy, Training, Policy Compliance, Accreditation, the Field Training Program, and the Deputy in Training Program. Captain McMurdo is a United States Air Force veteran and he joined the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office in October 2001. His law enforcement career began as a patrol deputy, later expanding to roles in the Traffic Unit and as a School Resource Officer. He also served as a SWAT team member for two years. Captain McMurdo was promoted to sergeant in 2009, where he supervised in the Patrol Division, Court House Security, and the School Resource Officer program. In 2016, Captain McMurdo was promoted to lieutenant, during which he served as Night Watch Commander and later facilitated the transition of law enforcement services for the City of Brooksville while leading District 1.Captain McMurdo earned his Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Safety Management and Supervision from Pasco-Hernando State College in April 2024, and he was promoted to the rank of Captain in December of 2024.