Dean Kelly was born in Jacksonville, Florida, moving to Palatka in 1975.  Other than a short time as a Firefighter, Police Officer and Deputy Sheriff in Southern Georgia, Kelly’s 29 year Public Safety career has been concentrated in Putnam County.  Kelly comes from a law enforcement family with brothers recently retiring from the Florida Highway Patrol (Major), Broward County Sheriff’s Office (Lieutenant) and a brother-in-law with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (Sergeant).  Kelly is married to wife Kris, who is a career Registered Nurse, and has four children.

Kelly’s law enforcement career has allowed him to be involved in practically every aspect of the profession.  After serving as a Police Officer and Deputy Sheriff in Kingsland and Camden County, Georgia, Kelly started with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office as a Correctional Officer in 1982.  Afterwards, he worked as a Patrol Deputy, Criminal Investigator, Patrol Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, Director of Personnel, Training & Internal Affairs, Accreditation Manager, Chief of Corrections and Undersheriff.  Kelly also served on a number of specialty units to include the SWAT Team as a medic, Bicycle Unit and Motorcycle Unit. 

Kelly has instructed many hours in the law enforcement academy and specialized for a number of years in DUI Breath Testing instruction and operation.  Having an early background in Fire/Rescue & Emergency Management, in 1994 Kelly was appointed by the Putnam County Board of County Commissioners as the Public Safety Director for a 3 ½ year period.  This management experience in conjunction with his many years in law enforcement management positions, prepared Kelly to ultimately run for the Office of Sheriff in 2004.  Kelly was elected and began his term in 2005.

Kelly has contributed many hours of his time serving on various boards, committees and volunteer groups, to include:  Putnam County Federal Credit Union Board of Directors, Putnam County Fair Authority, Boy Scouts of America District Chairman, Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, Putnam County Volunteer Fire Service, Blue Crab Festival Committee, Florida Sheriff’s Association, National Sheriff’s Association, Governor’s Hurricane Conference Staff, Member of various Home Owners Associations, Salvation Army Unit Chairman, Caring Center Board of Directors, Putnam Behavioral Board of Directors,  Keep Putnam Beautiful Board of Directors, Kiwanis of the Azalea City, St. Johns River Community College Advisory Council, Putnam County United Way Board of Directors, National Sheriff’s Association Sheriff’s Institute Advisory Council, Putnam Rural Enterprise Zone Development Board of Commissioners, Commissioner-Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors  and Member-Palatka Masonic Lodge #34.

Kelly was educated in the schools of Jacksonville, Florida and attended St. Johns River Community College and the Bachelors Degree program at Flagler College and also holds an Associates Degree from Vincennes University. He has participated in numerous Fire/Rescue/Law Enforcement and Emergency Management training courses and academies and recently graduated from the National Sheriff’s Institute.