Sam Williams, former Ocala Police chief, has died at age 79

When a team of Ocala community leaders visited Miami in the summer of 2003 during their search for a city of Ocala police chief, they met with Miami-Dade Police Department Director Carlos Alvarez and Assistant Director Robert "Bobby" Parker to find out more about their colleague Sam Williams.

Alvarez told the panel that Williams' "work habit is excellent, and his ability to accomplish things is phenomenal." Parker said, "It's amazing to see him not only wear four or five hats, for being in charge of various departments within the agency, and still find time to be out in the community meeting and greeting people." 

The group reviewed Williams' personnel file. A reviewer noted a "steep reduction in crime throughout Miami-Dade County can be attributed

to the leadership exercised by Assistant Director Williams." In 1997, Alvarez picked Williams to be one of his assistants because of Williams' knowledge of the community, operational skills, and integrity.

The Ocala team, led by then-Mayor Gerald Ergle, included an Ocala City Council member, a business leader, the local NAACP branch president and a high-ranking FOP official. They chose Williams to lead the Ocala Police Department.

Williams' steady hand, influence, dedication, humility, communication and inspiration would go on to guide the agency for nearly a decade.

Now his voice, communications skills, mannerisms and expertise have been silenced. Williams, 79, died on Aug. 28 after a long illness. He celebrated his last birthday on July 24.

Williams' daughter & the current police chief

His daughter, Mary Joyce Williams, was by his side when he died shortly after 6 p.m. Williams' wife, Mary, died in 2021.

Mary Joyce told a Star-Banner reporter she's going to miss hearing her father's voice and their conversations. She said he was always happy hearing her voice, and would always answer her calls with the words "Hey, sweetie."

She said she's going to miss their talks and holding his hands.

Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken said: "I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Chief Sam Williams. Sam was more than just a former police chief. He was someone who dedicated a significant part of his life to serving the people of Ocala and to the law enforcement profession that we both cared so deeply about.

"One of the things I have always appreciated about this profession is that we stand on the shoulders of those came before us. Every chief leaves his mark on a department, and Sam was an important part of the history of the Ocala Police Department."

Referring to Williams, Balken said: "His leadership, his experiences, and the decisions he made helped shape the department that we have today. As the current chief, I feel a responsibility to honor those who served before me. Sam is one of those people. While our careers and leadership styles may have been different, we shared something very important: a commitment to this community and to the men and women who wear the badge."

The chief said: "My thoughts and prayers are with Sam's family, his friends, and the many people who had the privilege of knowing and working with him. Sam, thank you for your service to Ocala and for the part you played in the history of this department. Your service mattered, and your legacy will remain a part of the Ocala Police Department. Rest in peace, Chief."

More tributes for Williams

Born and raised in Miami, Sam Williams served in Vietnam while in the U.S. Air Force. Leaving the military, Williams joined the MDPD in 1971.

For more than two decades, Williams was a law enforcement officer who was a patrol officer, supervisor and mentor for fellow officers.

In 2001, Williams was assistant county manager for public safety in Miami-Dade. He stayed there until his retirement in June 2003.

Selected from 113 men and women who submitted their resumes to the city, Williams was picked by the Ocala team to be the city's police chief in August 2003.

In a phone interview, former Mayor Ergle said when it was time to pick a police chief, the search team examined candidates nationwide and Williams was "extremely qualified and dedicated to his job."

"I'm happy to have brought Sam Williams to be the chief," he said.

Former Ocala City Council member and Marion County Commissioner Mike Amsden, one of the search team members, said, "Sam Williams was a great chief."

He said Williams was born to serve in law enforcement and the military, and was chosen from an elite group of finalist.

A third search team member, Jaye Baillie, said it was her honor being on the team that picked Williams to be the chief. She said she thanked Williams for his service.

Retired Deputy Chief Rodney Smith, who served with Williams, said the chief was a patient and caring man. He said while Williams was not from Ocala, he allowed the community to adopt him.

Smith praised Williams' demeanor, personality and work ethic.

"I lost a boss and a friend," he said.

Before he was elected sheriff in 2016, Billy Woods was an officer at the OPD and served during Williams' tenure as chief.

"I am truly saddened by the loss of Chief Williams. Chief Williams came from a law enforcement era long gone and was a true cop who walked the beat in a time that did not have the tools of today's law enforcement. Chief Williams was a true leader in this profession, and my heart goes out to his family," Woods said.

Inspiration

A 2003 Star-Banner article captured the mood when Williams came to the OPD. Shortly before the swearing-in ceremony, he received a standing ovation.

After his wife had pinned his badge on his chest and Ergle had sworn him in, Williams said: "It's truly an honor to see so many family, friends and people. I'm overwhelmed at the support I've received from this community so far."

Williams had taken over as chief after Andy Krietemeyer retired in March 2003. After Krietemeyer, Greg Graham was interim chief until Williams' appointment. Graham later was named chief in January 2012 after Williams left.

Tara Woods, a retired OPD major and presently the department's community liaison, said she will always remember Williams as a strong, humble, intelligent and inspirational leader who made you believe in yourself.

"He inspired me to be my best," Woods said.

Woods was promoted twice under Williams, becoming the agency's first Black woman sergeant and lieutenant. Graham later promoted Woods to captain and major. She also was the first Black woman to hold those ranks in the department.

Woods said Williams walked the halls of the police department and talked with everyone, including the jainitors.

More tributes

As chief, Williams had many accomplishments. They include updating the agency's computer system, securing more than $1 million in grant funding, introducing Drug Market Intervention (DMI) to eliminate drug dealers in neighborhoods, and creating the Phoenix Rising program, which builds homes for needy families.

Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano said Williams played an important role in shaping what the city is today. In Ocala's system of government, the mayor oversees the police department.

Marciano said he has "a lot of respect" for Williams and "we lost a good man." He said his heart goes out to his family.

Former Sheriff Ed Dean said he respected and loved Williams.

"Sam was an excellent police officer, administrator and chief of police. More importantly, Sam Williams was a terrific human being. He had a vision in what it would take to make a community safe," Dean said.

Williams was chief for eight years and resigned from the agency in December 2011. His daughter said he stayed in Marion County until 2014, when he moved to Port St. Lucie. He stayed there until 2021 and then moved to Miramar.

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Returning to Ocala in 2024, Williams stayed here until his death.

Contact Austin L. Miller at [e-mail]

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Sam Williams, former Ocala Police chief, has died at age 79