Ron McNesby, “Ronnie Mac,” Escambia County Sheriff 2001-2009

By Mike Simmons

Harry Ronald McNesby was born on May 22, 1944, in Pensacola, Florida. He lived with his father, Harry, and his mother, Nell, at 800 N. Hayne Street. His father had joined the U. S. Navy in 1930. When Ronnie was two years old, his father passed away, leaving a small boy to grow up without a father figure. Yes, his name was Harry, but he preferred Ron, or better yet, Ronnie. He graduated from Pensacola Technical High School, graduating in 1963. Almost immediately, he landed a good job at the Chemstrand plant in Gonzalez, a few miles north of Pensacola. But it didn’t fulfill something in him. In 1965, he decided to pursue the profession that would dominate his career. He became a deputy with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.

This was it; he hit on it. Being a deputy was something he loved. Thirty-four years later he retired as a lieutenant to run for sheriff. He entered the race in 2000, running on the need for more and better training for the deputies.

Like the informality of his name implies, Ronnie was liked and respected by his superiors, his peers and his subordinates. He was one of the guys. He could talk to anyone and make them feel like he was their friend. So, when the citizens of the county grew tired of the officer-involved shootings and killings, they began to ask Sheriff Lowman questions. The mild-mannered sheriff spoke little and gave simple replies to those questions. That didn’t go over well with voters. Ronnie, or “Ronnie Mac,” as he was popularly referred to, took advantage of his communication skills. He soon had the whole population feeling his warm personality.

Sheriff Lowman, a good man and a fine sheriff, was a man of few words. He supported his deputies, moved the department in a positive direction, and made good decisions. But he didn’t communicate them as well as his challenger. That showed through on November 7, 2000 when Ronnie Mac was voted in as the new sheriff.

Ronnie Mac got straight to work. By the time of his inauguration, he had been working for several months – reorganizing, reprioritizing, and setting up things his way. At 10:30 AM on January 2, 2001, Ron McNesby was sworn in as sheriff at Olive Baptist Church. The oath of office was administered by Circuit Judge John Kuder. At the same ceremony, the new sheriff swore in 500 deputies and correctional officers as well.

They say it is much easier running as a challenger than an incumbent. The challenger simply says, “Things need to be better.” That is always true. The incumbent says, “I have been doing a good job.” At best that sounds kinda wimpy. But it’s always that way.

In 2008, things began to heat up in the race for sheriff. Ronnie Mac had been the sheriff since 2001 and was seeking a third term. Very few sheriffs are elected for a third term, but he was going for it. His challengers were fellow Republican David Morgan, a retired officer in the U. S. Air Force, and Democrats Larry Scapecchi, a retired ECSO lieutenant and Samuel Lucas, a retired Coast Guard officer.

According to the August 27, 2008, edition of the Pensacola News Journal, Morgan ran on a platform of bringing change to Escambia County. He won the primary. Scapecchi won for the Democrats. Ronnie Mac was finishing his tour.

“I am not going to get on a train at midnight and ride out of town. I don’t know what the future holds. I don’t want anything to do with law enforcement. I am not closing the door on any opportunity, but I will tell you that sitting here today, talking to you today, there is nothing…that makes me want to continue in law enforcement.” That was part of an interview with Ron McNesby in the Pensacola News Journal on January 3, 2009. Ronnie Mac continued being a vital part of the community, becoming more involved with family matters and with his church. He could be seen many mornings having coffee at one place or another, adding to the conversations. Good job, Sheriff.