Longtime Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Joe Sanchez says he is considering a run for Miami-Dade County Sheriff in 2024.
It comes just days after Miami-Dade Police Director Freddy Ramirez dropped out of the race -- following a recent suicide attempt.
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Sanchez released a statement Saturday afternoon -- explaining that he has been approached by dozens of law enforcement colleagues as well as state and local-elected officials, who have asked him to join the race.
He later spoke with NBC6, explaining, "It's going to take someone to not only run a police department, but also transition that police department from a Dade County police department to to a sheriff's office."
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His Saturday statement also read in part, "As a 36-year law enforcement veteran of the Florida Highway Patrol -- as well as a local municipal official for 11 -- I know what it takes to keep our community safe. I am actively considering a run for sheriff and once I have made a final decision -- we will make an official announcement."