Lake County names new undersheriff
A longtime former Lake County sheriff's office employee is returning next week as the new undersheriff, authorities said Friday.
Lawrence "Larry" Oliver was appointed by Sheriff John Idleburg to the top command position, authorities said in a news release. Oliver is expected to begin the job Wednesday. He replaces David Hare, who is no longer with the office.
"I am so pleased Larry Oliver will be rejoining our team as our Undersheriff," Idleburg said in the news release. "I have absolute confidence in his leadership abilities, internal knowledge of the sheriff's office, service-driven talents to the community, values, and organizational vision."
Oliver will run the day-to-day operations, overseeing the corrections, operations and administrative divisions that encompass all employees, authorities said.
"I couldn't be more excited about rejoining such an exceptional organization," Oliver said in the news release. "I look forward to working with a terrific group of dedicated employees and again serving the Lake County community."
Oliver served at the sheriff's office for nearly 30 years before his retirement in 2008. During that time, he served in the highway patrol and criminal investigation divisions and with the special investigation unit for organized crime and vice, authorities said.
He has also served with the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group, was previously the field commander for the sheriff's tactical response team and previously served as a director of training.
Since his retirement, Oliver has worked in Afghanistan and the Middle East, providing U.S. and Coalition Forces training and support in counterterrorism, close-quarter battle, defensive tactics, mission planning, and leadership mentoring.
In addition, he has provided defensive tactics training at the Drug Enforcement Agency at Quantico and worked with the Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team.
Oliver ran for sheriff in the 2006 Democratic primary and lost to Mark Curran, who went on to defeat incumbent Gary Del Re in the general election.