Candidate: Luis "Tony " Fernandez

Luis Antonio Fernández, known as "Tony", was born into a family of humble origins in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. From an early age, Tony was determined to obtain an education and achieve the American Dream through hard work and a career of public service.

Tony’s law enforcement career started in 1995 as a Special Agent of the Puerto Rico State Police (PRPD).  Tony entered as a patrol officer, but his superior performance quickly earned him a position in a specialized unit known as the Tactical Surveillance Team, an organization tasked with investigating corruption in different branches of the government including the elected officials, the Police Department, Municipal Police Forces, and the Fire Department.  The team also investigated white collar crimes and drug activity involving political figures.  While a member of this team, Tony reported directly to the Office of the Governor of Puerto Rico. His position on this unique team afforded Tony with a multitude of specialized training provided by the U.S. Secret Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Tony’s investigations included the auditing of multi-million dollar budgets and spending in government agencies to detect fraud, waste, and abuse of public funds.

In 1996, Puerto Rico served as headquarters for the National Governors Association Convention, and Tony was assigned as the official guide and personal security agent for the Honorable Paul Patton, then-governor of the State of Kentucky.  As a result of Tony’s exemplary service, Governor Patton awarded him the title of "Honorary Colonel of the State of Kentucky" – the highest title of honor bestowed by the Governor of Kentucky on any person.  As additional proof of his excellence in service, when P.R. once again hosted the prestigious event in 1998, Governor Patton personally requested Tony as his security agent, and conditioned his return to the island on that request being fulfilled.

Tony’s career in the PRPD opened many doors for him, and he gained a vast array of experience and expertise; however, he decided to relocate to Florida in pursuit of better opportunities and a better life for his family. The 2000’s saw Tony employed as Director of Investigative Operations for a private investigations firm and as a Loss Prevention Supervisor for Giorgio Armani. Despite success in these careers, Tony’s heart had always been set on public service; therefore, in 2005 Tony joined the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy Sheriff.  During his fourteen year tenure with the agency, he served as a Patrol Deputy, Criminal Investigation Detective, Field Training Officer, and Firearms Instructor. Tony recently retired from the Sheriff’s Office.  When asked about what his favorite part of the job was, Tony always replies; “helping people and fighting corruption”.

Tony graduated from one of the most prestigious private institutions abroad, the Inter American University of Puerto Rico, earning a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and an associate degree in Criminal Investigations.  Tony’s academic excellence was rewarded with placement in a student exchange program with the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York.

A father of four, Tony has committed his life to his children, having obtained custody of them post-divorce. Now happily married to the love of his life, Carmen, they, like many other families, have successfully merged their families from previous marriages into one blended family, having raised his four children alongside her three.  The family also includes four treasured grandchildren and two Labradors. They now live on a small farmstead in west Osceola County.

Tony’s hobbies include racquetball, billiards, shooting sports, fishing, and swimming.  He hopes to one day own a sail boat to cruise the oceans with his family. Tony is a man of faith who lives life by the Bible verse: Romans 8:31 - "If God with us, who against us".  On Sundays and Tuesdays, his family and friends assist the Rock Church in west Kissimmee with the distribution of food to local families in need.

Earlier this year, Tony announced his intent and has since qualified to run for the Office of Sheriff of Osceola County.  His goal is to bring meaningful, positive change and Equality of Justice to the office.  During his announcement Tony stated:

“I am running as Nonparty Affiliated because I am tired of the politics negatively impacting the people of this County, and because I want to be the Sheriff for ALL people, regardless of political affiliation, race, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, or economic or marital status. I want to be your Sheriff, a Sheriff for everyone. I will commit to working every day I spend in office, to ensure that your Sheriff's Office, delivers Equal Justice for all.

Luis Tony Fernandez – swore and affirmed, that when elected Sheriff of Osceola County, his loyalty will remain the same as always, “to the Constitution of the United States and the People of Osceola County.”

If you want positive change and Equality of Justice in Osceola County – #Vote4Tony