Sheriff’s Staff
David Barnes
Director of Operations
Barnes has more than 25 years of law enforcement experience. He has served in various leadership positions including Patrol, Investigations, SWAT, Dive Team and Administration. He is also a 20-year retiree from the Florida National Guard where he served in various leadership positions. Barnes is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigations – National Academy, Session #261 and he has served as director of Services and Personnel and Professional Standards.
Ricky Wright
Director of Services
Wright is a 36-year law enforcement veteran who started his career with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and worked for the Palatka Police Department. In 2000, he joined the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, where he served as a detective and lieutenant in several areas within the agency. Wright was then promoted to chief of Special Operations and served as chief and director of Detention Administration.
Chris Coldiron
Director of Detention
Coldiron has been with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office since 1998 and serves as the Director of Detention. He has experience in administration, detention, and operations. Coldiron, a Navy veteran, previously served as a watch commander and assistant SWAT commander after 16 years on the team, and as the director of Personnel and Professional Standards.
Joseph Bucci
Director of Personnel and Professional Standards
Joe Bucci began his career in law enforcement 21 years ago with the Green Cove Springs Police Department. In 2000, he joined the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and has been promoted several times throughout his career. In the past 10 years, he served as the Chief of Detectives, Patrol, Logistics, Human Resources, Training, and Professional Oversight. In February 2020, Chief Bucci was promoted to Director of Personnel and Professional Standards. Director Bucci graduated from the FBI National Academy #249 in 2012 and earned his degree in criminal justice from Columbia College in 2014. He is the high school ministry volunteer at his church and is on the board of directors for Clay Electric Operation Round-Up.
Jeff Davenport
General Counsel
Davenport joined the sheriff’s office as general counsel in June 2017. Before joining the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, he was appointed and served as an assistant state attorney for the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida for almost nine years. He prosecuted hundreds of felony criminal cases and handled civil cases involving civil asset forfeiture and involuntary civil commitment. Davenport is a graduate of King University and Florida Coastal School of Law.
Elise Gann
Senior Executive
Gann oversees the Finance and Strategic Planning Division, which includes the Fiscal, Purchasing, and Strategic Planning Sections. She joined the sheriff’s office in March 2010 as the Fiscal Section Director and was promoted to CFO in October 2011. Before joining the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Gann spent 12 years in accounting management positions for various private sector companies. Gann has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in Accounting from the University of North Florida and completed the Florida Certified Public Manager Program through Florida State University in July 2015. In addition to completing Leadership Clay in 2012, she completed the Executive Leadership Seminar, Class 7, offered by the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute, Florida Department of Law Enforcement in August 2019. She continues to be an active member of the Florida Sheriffs Association, serving on the Finance Committee, as well as serving on local boards and committees for various non-profit agencies.
Keith Smith
Assistant Chief of Community Affairs
Smith has been with the sheriff’s office for 19 years. Smith has been assigned to Patrol, Investigations, Community Affairs, Training, Supervisor/Patrol, and Supervisor/Juvenile Crime Section. Smith is an Adjunct Instructor at SJRSC for the Law Enforcement Academy and is the past Executive Director of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office Police Athletic League and currently serves as the Vice President.
Denise Flak
Executive Assistant
Flak is the executive assistant to sheriff and undersheriff. She handles the day-to-day functions for the sheriff’s staff. She also worked as executive assistant to the director of the State Attorney’s Office in Clay County for almost 15 years. Flak has been with the sheriff’s office since 1987.