Sheppard Denies Wrongdoing as Residents Prepare to Confront City Commission
HIGH SPRINGS – High Springs Police Chief Antoine Sheppard has been placed on paid administrative leave following what City Manager Jeremy Marshall described only as an investigation into complaints, with no details disclosed to the chief, the public, or the media.
Marshall’s letter to Sheppard, dated June 23, 2026, states the leave is effective immediately and will continue until Sheppard receives written notification from the City Manager. The letter requires Sheppard to remain available during regular business hours, prohibits him from contacting any city employee by any means without prior authorization from the City Manager, and bars him from accessing areas designated for employees. He was directed to return all city property, including his laptop, keys, and ID badge, to the City Clerk’s office.
The nature of the complaints has not been disclosed. When Alachua County Today submitted a public records request seeking written complaints that initiated the investigation, the City Manager’s office responded that the records are currently exempt from disclosure under section 112.533(5)(a), Florida Statutes, which shields law enforcement officer complaint records and related investigative materials while an investigation remains active. The city declined to comment further, citing the ongoing investigation.
Sheppard, a High Springs native, has served with the High Springs Police Department for 25 years and has held the position of chief since September 2019. The city celebrated his 25-year anniversary with the department this past spring.
Sheppard: ‘I Have Never Knowingly Done Anything Illegal’
In a public statement posted to Facebook following news of the leave, Sheppard said he had not been provided with the specific allegations against him.
“After 25 years of serving the High Springs community, I have been placed on administrative suspension by the City Manager,” Sheppard wrote. “At this time, I have not been provided any specific information regarding the allegations, so I cannot comment further.”
He added, “I have never knowingly done anything illegal, immoral, or unethical. I love God, my family, and this community, and it has been the honor of my life to serve as your Chief of Police. I have always believed that silence gives consent, and I have never been afraid to speak up for what I believed was right — even when I knew it could cost me my job.”
Some have speculated that Sheppard’s leave may be connected to his public advocacy for the police department earlier this year. In May, the City Commission considered eliminating both the police and fire departments as part of budget deliberations. Sheppard spoke out in defense of keeping his department, and the Commission ultimately voted to preserve both. The timing of the leave, coming weeks after that budget fight, has led some residents and observers to question whether his advocacy played a role in the city’s decision to investigate him.
What the Department’s Own Policy Says
HSPD Written Directive #157, the department’s written policy governing employment actions, defines administrative leave as suspension from duty with pay, used in the best interest of the department and the affected employee when situations arise that need further review or action. The policy states that no employment action is official until it has been reviewed and approved by the Chief of Police or the City Manager. Because the chief himself is the subject of this action, the City Manager would serve as the approving authority.
The directive also states that investigative suspension notices must state the reasons or basis for the suspension. It is unclear whether a formal suspension notice separate from the City Manager’s letter has been issued consistent with those procedures. A separate question – whether this matter is being handled as a formal internal affairs investigation under section 112.533, Florida Statutes, or as a personnel matter under the City’s Charter and Personnel Policy – remains unresolved. That distinction carries consequences for when, if ever, the complaint records and investigative findings become available to the public.
Community Response
News of the leave spread rapidly across social media, generating hundreds of comments, messages, and emails to city leadership. Sheppard’s Facebook post drew an outpouring of support from former classmates, neighbors, longtime residents, and members of the broader law enforcement community.
Former Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper, who has long been acquainted with Sheppard, wrote simply: “Best to You my Long Time Friend. You are The Best.”
Joel DeCoursey Jr., who oversaw Sheppard’s hiring as chief, posted: “I am so proud of you and hiring you as Chief of Police was one of my greatest career achievements! Turn it over to God and let it go. God has already worked it out!”
Lorilynn Bowie, who identified herself as having worked alongside Sheppard for seven years, wrote: “My heart is with you Chief. It is a blessing working with and knowing you. I’m so sorry you and your family are having to live this.”
Ray Carson, a former journalist, wrote: “You have my support and the city manager ought to provide the details of the charges at the time of suspension rather than put it out in the media, smearing you in advance. If I was still working as a journalist I would be pressuring the City Manager to be transparent.”
Rolf Gordon wrote: “It is a shame that just because someone doesn’t agree with you, they play dirty politics. I certainly hope when all is said and done, the person or persons responsible are held accountable for their actions in trying to ruin a good man’s name.”
Warren Buck wrote, “We the people of H.S. don’t want you to go. What we want is this City Manager to go. And I’m ready to start a movement to get rid of him.”
July 7 Rally and Commission Meeting
A prayer meeting in support of Sheppard is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on July 7 at City Hall, 23718 W. U.S. Highway 27, prior to the City Commission meeting at 6:30 p.m. Supporters are encouraged to attend both the prayer gathering and the subsequent commission meeting and are being asked to bring signs or wear shirts reading “WE SUPPORT CHIEF SHEPPARD.”
Alachua County Today sent press inquiries to Mayor Andrew Miller and former High Springs Commissioner Byran Williams, who is currently a candidate for Alachua County Commission District 2. No responses were received prior to publication. Alachua County Today will update this story as additional information becomes available.
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