Pasco leaders thank JJ Murphy for public-safety leadership

At the Nov. 12 Pasco County commission meeting, firefighters, union representatives and multiple commissioners publicly recognized assistant county administrator for public safety JJ Murphy on his final day in the role.

Robert (representing IAFF Local 4420) praised Murphy for helping reverse a staffing crisis within Pasco County Fire Rescue and for instituting programs to support employees' mental health. "Because of his leadership, Pasco County Fire Rescue has now has more trucks, more personnel, and more resources on the road than ever before," the speaker said. Robert added that Murphy helped secure a confidential mental‑health partnership with Tampa Bay Psychology and helped implement a 24/72 work schedule that improved recruitment and retention.

Several commissioners echoed those remarks and highlighted Murphy's hands-on style. Commissioner Mariano said Murphy "took the bull by the horns," and Commissioner Oakley recalled Murphy attending events and incidents while recovering from a knee injury — an example, she said, of "boots on the ground" leadership.

Murphy thanked the commissioners and staff and emphasized his commitment to public‑safety workers. "It has been the highlight of my career working here," he said, noting the department's progress on jail operations and fire‑rescue staffing.

The recognition did not create a formal personnel action on the record; it was a ceremonial farewell acknowledging Murphy's contributions and thanking him for partnerships that included training, mental‑health access and operational changes to emergency response.