Sheriff Dennis Lemma Announces the Appointment of Captain Ronald Hopper as New Undersheriff

Seminole Co. Fla., (June 19) - Sheriff Dennis Lemma is pleased to announce the appointment of Captain Ronald (Ron) Hopper as the new Seminole County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) Undersheriff, effective immediately. Hopper will work closely with current Undersheriff Lou Tomeo during a transition period until Tomeo’s retirement later this year.

Undersheriff Hopper brings over 31 years of extensive policing experience to his new role. His career began at the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office from 1993 to 1998, followed by a distinguished tenure with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) from 1998 to 2021. During his time with the FBI, Hopper held various significant roles, including Special Agent, Supervisory Special Agent, Unit Chief, and Assistant Special Agent in Charge. He managed a multimillion-dollar budget and led over 200 personnel, overseeing critical investigations and national security responses, such as the Pulse Night Club terror attack and high-profile security events post-9/11.

Since joining the SCSO in 2021, Hopper served as Captain of the Domestic Security Division, leveraging his counterterrorism experience and advanced policing technologies to enhance public safety. His advocacy for technologies like FUSUS and automated license plate readers (ALPR) has significantly contributed to solving complex investigations involving gang activity and swatting incidents. Hopper's extensive network at local, state, and federal levels has proven invaluable for real-time information acquisition and case resolution.

Hopper holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Central Florida and has completed master’s-level coursework in Criminology from the University of South Florida. He has also led numerous policing courses. The SCSO congratulates Undersheriff Hopper on his well-deserved promotion and looks forward to his continued contributions.