Matthew "Matt" Walsh has been appointed as Secretary of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, the governor's office announced on Tuesday. A 28-year-old law enforcement professional, Walsh is currently Deputy Executive Director of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), leading Public Safety Command.
The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is a state agency aiming to increase public safety by reducing juvenile crime through prevention, intervention, and treatment programs to help turn around the lives of troubled youth.
According to a release, Walsh started his career in 1997 with the Lee County Sheriff's Office with assignments including road patrol, auto theft detective, homicide detective, and SWAT operator.
Walsh moved on to the FDLE in 2003, working in jurisdictions of Fort Myers, Jacksonville, and presently Tallahassee. During his time with the department, Walsh has investigated violent crime, homicide, public corruption, and violent crime.
In addition, Walsh has overseen assignments with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force before being promoted to leadership roles.
Walsh also served as Interim Sheriff for the Clay County Sheriff's Office in 2020.
While not on the streets, Walsh has helped train fellow officers in situations involving death and homicide, stress management, mental health, and resiliency. According to a report from Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), nearly 1,300 officers died by suicide in the U.S. from 2016 to 2022, or about 184 each year.
Moreover, Walsh established the FDLE Critical Incident Stress Management/Peer Support Team to help law enforcement officials deal with mental health following the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport Shooting, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting in Parkland, and the Sebring mass shooting, among others.
Over his decorated career, Walsh has earned numerous commendations - including the Combat Cross, three Unit Citations, Gallantry Star, Grand Cordon, two US Attorney Officer of the Year Awards, and the Commissioner's Medal.
