About Major Dwight Parker

Dwight Parker was born in Ft. Pierce, Fl. and moved to Palatka in 1969 after having come from Jacksonville, Florida. Parker graduated Palatka High School in 1979. His only other job before coming to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office in 1982 was with Winn-Dixie. He was recruited by Captain Orie Griffin whose wife was the head cashier at Winn-Dixie. Parker started in the Jail and worked there until 1985 when he was transferred to patrol. He was promoted through the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain and currently holds the rank of Major and is the Division Chief of Special Services, where he supervises many sections and approximately 50 agency members.

Parker has two brothers that are in law enforcement. His oldest brother, Art, recently retired from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office as a Sergeant after nearly 33 years of service. His middle brother Dell, is a Detective and serves as the Homicide Investigator for the Putnam County Sheriff's Office with 23 years of experience. Parker is married to Lori Ann who works for Clay Electric in Keystone Heights, Fl.

Parker has attended many specialized training classes over his nearly 25 year career. He was for several years the Field Training supervisor while in the Patrol Division, having overseen and personally trained dozens of Deputies. In 2001, Parker received the Vocational Service Award from Rotary Sunrise of Palatka and in that same year received Officer of the Year from the American Legion of Palatka.

Parker sits on numerous committees and boards to include, the Community Traffic Safety Team, the Putnam County Safety Committee, the Lee Conlee House Board of Directors, the City of Palatka Board of Zoning Appeals and just recently, the newly formed Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Putnam County Board of Directors. He is also a member the Palatka Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons #34.

Parker holds an AA degree from St. Johns River Community College and will soon be graduating with a BS degree in Public Administration from Flagler College.