Jason Futch
reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
With his boxes packed and ready for his next adventure, Suwannee County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) Lt. Wayne Musgrove prepared to retire after 44 years of service to the residents of Suwannee County. After a distinguished career with SCSO, Musgrove recalls fond memories of his time with the agency. He was one of the first investigators for the agency, formed the SCSO Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, and was able to cycle through multiple ranks before ending his career as lieutenant.
However, before he entered law enforcement, he had a completely different path planned for him.
"I aspired to be a pilot," Musgrove said. "I went and talked to the military in 1976, and I checked with a couple of military branches. Both said that they were downsizing due to Vietnam's conclusion." When Musgrove took his Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test, he scored high in computers but decided to pursue law enforcement instead.
Musgrove started with the Florida Department of Agriculture in June of 1977, shortly after graduating from high school in 1976. "I started with the Florida Department of Agriculture for three years and five months," Musgrove said. "Then I wanted to become a deputy."
Musgrove was hired by former Suwannee County Sheriff Robert Leonard in November of 1980, starting as a jailer before going to the patrol division. Musgrove recalled that, when he was a road deputy, they worked cases from start to finish, as the agency did not have investigators at the time. "In the late 1980s, early 90s, Sheriff Leonard wanted to have an investigations division and pulled Deputy Billy Maxwell and me into this division," Musgrove said. He credits Deputy Maxwell as the first investigator for the agency, with him following behind.
Musgrove said that he worked a variety of cases the first couple of years before working primarily in sex crimes. "Sex crimes were tougher, challenging and emotional," Musgrove said. "I like challenges, so I eased into sex crimes full-time and allowed other investigators to work on other cases."
Musgrove also became an instructor early for the agency, specializing in firearms training, which he enjoys. "I think it's an obligation, a responsibility," Musgrove said. "The more you learn, the more you feel inclined to help others that came in after."
Musgrove became a supervisor for the agency when Sheriff Sam St. John took office in 2016, which allowed him to do more instruction for deputies. Over the last few years, more instructors have come on board, allowing Musgrove to oversee the teachers and ensure they instill the values of the sheriff's office.
What Musgrove is proud about is the SWAT team that he helped organize. He is thankful that, other than tactical operations involving drugs, the team has not been engaged in many local violent skirmishes. Musgrove could only recollect two incidents.
Before the SWAT team was formed, Musgrove paid for his training to become a SWAT officer despite the agency not having one at the time. Over the years, he kept his training intact, which helped him put the team together. The agency now has several SWAT-certified officers and a few medics to help in challenging situations.
One of the incidents that the SCSO SWAT team worked on happened in 2011 when the agency offered mutual aid to the Lake City Police Department (LCPD) and Columbia County Sheriff’s Office by deploying their SWAT team to help in a standoff after three LCPD officers were shot trying to serve an injunction. The suspect in the case, 27-year-old Jesse Custer, took his own life after an Alachua County Sheriff's Office Rook vehicle began tearing up the trailer he was inside.
“We were everywhere that day," Musgrove said. "Behind tombstones, everything." He credited the Alachua County Sheriff's Office for being able to diffuse the situation. "The suspect had a machine gun set up, so had anyone just walked in, he would have fired at us."
Musgrove was also one of two deputies who were able to attend the FBI Academy, the other being former Sheriff Al Williams. Musgrove said that the training was excellent despite the weather. "The FBI Academy asked if I wanted to go in the winter or summer, and I said summer," Musgrove said. "They went ahead and sent me in the winter." With a chuckle, he recalled how he and another classmate from Hawaii, also named Wayne, complained about the cold temperature during the training session. He would go on to graduate from the three-month program and use the lessons learned from the academy to help with his leadership skills.
Musgrove said that he accomplished everything that he set out to do, except one thing: becoming sheriff. When asked if he would consider running in the future, Musgrove said, "Nope."
"I am not a political person," Musgrove said. "I hate politics and don't think I would be interested in pursuing that."
Musgrove plans to maintain his accreditation in retirement and will assist the agency where he best can and intends to teach firearms to civilians. But for now, he plans to enjoy his retirement with his wife, who is his high school sweetheart, and catch up with friends.
"A friend of mine who I met through the FBI academy lives in Colorado," Musgrove said. "I plan to visit him, but not during the winter."
Musgrove says that he will miss being active with the agency, including the SWAT team, but plans to stay moving. "There will be sadness," Musgrove said. "But I am going to let God direct my path." He hopes that the current deputies will continue to set good examples and guide the ones who join the agency with integrity and accountability.