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Florida Sheriffs Elect First Black President

flsheriffs.org

The Florida Sheriffs Association has a new president. Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings is also the group's first elected black president.

Demings is taking over the reins from Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell.

Demings has been in the news a lot lately as he’s had to deal with high profile incidents that have gained national attention.

That includes last month's mass shooting in Orlando that left 49 people dead and 50 people injured. There’s also the alligator attack at a Walt Disney resort that led to the death of a two-year-old.

Demings also had a hand in a new law that took effect this month. It allows the surviving spouses of law enforcement or first responders killed in the line of duty to receive a proper death benefit. It’s inspired by the family of one of Demings’ deputies killed in the line of duty in 2014.

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.