The Victim Advocate program has been in effect since November 7, 2005 providing crisis intervention and supportive measures to victims of crime. 

The majority of cases handled by the Advocate involve sexual abuse, domestic violence, child abuse, homicide, or other serious injury cases. The Victim Advocate’s primary focus is that of the victim or the victim’s family’s emotional, physical, and financial needs.
These needs are addressed by acting as a liaison for victims with Law Enforcement, the State Attorney’s Office, and the Court. 
The advocate provides assistance with crime’s compensation, transportation, counseling, and shelter, injunctions for protection, loaner cellular phones, referrals, and informational brochures on victim related topics.


Melissa Kunz is the current Victim Advocate for the Sumter County Sheriff's Office and is on call 24 hours a day – 7 days a week. She has recently become a member of the death review team for children and participates in weekly staff meetings on problem child abuse cases at the Department of Children and Families and attends the Community Task Force on Sexual and Domestic Violence monthly. Melissa collaborates on issues to improve services in our county for rape, domestic violence, and child abuse cases routinely updating and distributing service provider lists and resources. Melissa can be reached at (352) 793-0278 extension 2379.

Health Services

Law Enforcement

Sumter County Sheriff's Office

William O' Farmer, Jr.

Victoria Thompson

Tammy S.

Bobby Smalley

Trevor Brown

Ronnie Murchinson-Rivera

Roddrick Winnick

Randy McQueen

Nicole McCue

Michael King

Medgar Jordan

Matthew Schauer

Lee Gibson

Larry Thompson

Jj Ardis

James Aguiar Jr

Frances Buxton

Ellen Anderson

Donovan Reynolds

Covery Hill

Cody Dyson

Carl Dunlap

Brenda McCray-Alford

Brandy Almany

Bill Rappleyea

Bill Farmer

James Haworth

Hampton Gardner

Valerie Pursley-Watson

Law Enforcement Operations

Criminal Investigation

Technical Support and Systems Administration

Teams at Sumter County Sheriff's Office

Law Enforcement Operations

Criminal Investigation

Technical Support and Systems Administration