James H. Scott

1940 - 2025

James H. Scott, age 85, passed away peacefully at his home on July 2, 2025, lovingly surrounded by his family.
James was born in Brunswick, Ga., on May 8, 1940, to William and Vera Scott. He is survived by his daughter, Debra Scott-Clark, and her husband, Raymond; and his treasured great-granddaughter, Lynlei Kate Brown. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Janice Trawick Scott, his parents and siblings.
In 1957, at just 17 years old, James answered the call to serve by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. Because he was underage, his parents signed his enlistment papers only after making him promise to continue his education – a vow he honored throughout his life. He trained as a military policeman before continuing as a reservist. After returning home, he began his career with the Florida Highway Patrol in 1964, first serving in Fort Lauderdale before transferring to Jefferson County. During those years, he worked as a Traffic Homicide Investigator, earning a reputation for precision and fairness.
In 1971, Governor Reubin Askew appointed James as Sheriff of Jefferson County, citing his "outstanding qualifications and interest in good government." For the next 13 years, Sheriff Scott built a legacy of strength and innovation – leading drug-prevention programs in schools, publishing one of Florida's earliest anti-drug education manuals and confronting everything from kidnappers to chemical spills. He rose to statewide leadership in the Florida Sheriffs Association, serving on the Board of Directors from 1973 to 1977 and again from 1979 to 1983, holding office as Vice President in 1977, President in 1978 and Chairman of the Board in 1983.
True to his promise to keep learning, he became the first Florida sheriff to graduate from the National Intelligence Academy in 1975, where he was elected class spokesman, and completed the FBI National Academy at Quantico in 1977. After stepping down as sheriff in 1984, he continued his service with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, conducting fugitive investigations and officer training statewide, until a helicopter crash in 1995 forced his eventual retirement in 1998.
A Celebration of Life commemorating his duty, honor and legacy to law enforcement will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, at Beggs Funeral Home chapel in Monticello, Fla., beginning at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Big Cat Rescue, a cause near and dear to his heart, at 17342 Gunn Hwy., Odessa, Fla. 33556.