Sheriff Kandy Fatheree

Kandy Fatheree assumed the office of Summit County Sheriff on January 4, 2021. She is the first woman to be elected Sheriff in Summit County history, and one of only three elected in Ohio history. As Sheriff of Ohio’s fourth largest county, she has over 500 deputies and civilians under her command.

Fatheree grew up in Springfield Township and has wanted to work in law enforcement since the age of six. As a struggling single mother, she sold nearly everything she owned to pay her way through the Police Academy. She began her law enforcement career in 1993 with the Lakemore Police Department, then two years later joined the Summit County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy.

During her career with the Sheriff’s Office, Fatheree rose through the ranks to reach the level of Captain, along the way working in Corrections, Patrol, Court Services, Warrants, Civil Process, Investigations, and Budget & Finance. She realized her dream of becoming Sheriff in 2008 after graduating from the FBI’s National Academy for Executive Leadership in Quantico, VA. She was elected Sheriff in November 2020, and upon taking office she quickly embarked on a program of reform and rejuvenation within the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.

Among Fatheree’s top priorities as Sheriff is improving the professionalism and performance of the office, expanding community policing, increasing diversity and inclusion, reducing recidivism rates, fostering leadership, and focusing on mental health. She is a strong believer in innovation, collaboration, and thinking outside of the box, and has dedicated her career to elevating the Office of Sheriff and moving it towards a brighter future, without losing sight of its long and proud past.