The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is proud to announce nine promotions, including several within its command staff. Sheriff Chad Chronister and Chief Deputy Donna Lusczynski recognized the hardworking men and women on Wednesday, November 4, 2020.
"The continued success and growth of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office hinges on who is at the helm, and I am confident that these individuals are the best people to lead this office into the future," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "The decades of experience and proven leadership capabilities that they bring to their newly appointed positions will only make us a stronger agency and better equipped to serve the residents of Hillsborough County. I am proud of each of them and honored to have them join my command staff and supervisory ranks."
Joining the rank of colonel is Thomas St John, who will head the Department of Operational Support, and Robert Ura, who will head the Department of Investigative Services.
Colonel Thomas St John began his career in law enforcement in 1993, serving as a deputy with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office before joining the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office in 1994. He most recently led the Community Outreach Division. Colonel St John has held numerous positions throughout his career, most of which were in covert and latent investigative capacities. He has been assigned to positions with street crimes, economic crimes, and special investigations. Colonel St. John has also worked as a Field Training supervisor, Intelligence Unit detective/supervisor, Narcotics Section detective/supervisor, and Professional Standards Section supervisor. Colonel St. John holds a bachelor of arts degree from Saint Leo University.
Colonel Robert Ura is a 23-year law enforcement veteran who most recently served as Major over the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office District IV Office. He began his career at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in 1997. Colonel Ura has served in the patrol and motor units and as an undercover narcotics detective. He joined the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) in 2002, as a Special Agent, and was assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Methamphetamine Task Force. He later transferred to the Lakeland Field Office to focus on Homicide investigations in Polk and Hardee Counties. In 2007, Major Ura was promoted to Special Agent Supervisor over Public Integrity and Officer Involved Shooting investigations. He rejoined HCSO in 2011 and served as the Criminal Investigations Division Commander from 2012 to 2018. Major Ura is a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a graduate of Ball State University. He is also a graduate of the Southern Police Institute’s 136th Administrative Officers Course and FDLE’s Foundational Leadership Course.
The following individuals will also take on new leadership roles within the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office:
- Captain David Arthur of the Homeland Security Division was promoted to Major of District III.
- Captain Christopher Baumann of Jail Division III was promoted to Major of Jail Division III.
- Captain Robert Rodriguez of District IV was promoted to Major of District IV.
- Lieutenant Kawanna Brown of the Court Operations Division was promoted to Captain of Jail Division III.
- Lieutenant Christopher Fortner of Jail Division III was promoted to Captain of Jail Division III.
- Lieutenant Joseph Maurer of the Tampa Bay Regional Intelligence Center (TBRIC) was promoted to Captain of District IV.
- Lieutenant Christopher Rule of the Homeland Security Division was promoted to Captian of the Homeland Security Division.
All of the promotions and transfers will take effect on November 16, 2020.
