SHERIFF STEVE BINEGAR

Steve Binegar grew up in Marion County and graduated from Lake Weir High School. He entered the United States Marine Corps and spent three years active duty attaining the rank of sergeant. Upon completing his enlistment, he joined the Florida National Guard and was hired at the Sheriff’s Office where he started as a corrections officer at the jail. He also worked as a dispatcher. Sheriff Binegar worked his way up to patrol, and eventually into investigations. During those years he worked to complete his BA degree from the University of Central Florida and completed the yearlong Florida National Guard Officers Candidate School, graduating first in his class and was commissioned a second lieutenant. 

Sheriff Moreland promoted Steve to Sergeant and placed him in internal affairs. Steve left the Sheriff’s Office to become an FBI agent, which was his boyhood career goal. While he was stationed in Richmond, Virginia he earned his master’s degree from James Madison University. In 1988, Sheriff Moreland asked Steve to come back to the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff brought him back at the rank of Captain and assigned him to command of the Criminal Investigation Division. At the time of his appointment as Sheriff Steve held rank of Major. Sheriff Binegar served as Sheriff until November 18, 1998.