Sheriff Tim Cameron received a surprise commendation from the Commissioners of St. Mary's County on Tuesday thanking him for 40 years of dedicated service with St. Mary's County government, with the vast majority of those years in the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff Cameron, now serving in his fourth consecutive term, started with the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office on July 3, 1980 as a patrol deputy. Rising through the ranks over the years, Cameron retired from the Sheriff's Office in 2005 to become the St. Mary's County Department of Public Safety Director.
Cameron then successfully ran for the Office of the Sheriff in 2006 and went on the win re-election three more times.
The Commissioners of St. Mary's County thanked Sheriff Cameron for "40 years of exceptional leadership and professional service to St. Mary's County. Your exemplary skills and dedicated commitment have well served St. Mary's County government and our community."
Sheriff Cameron said, "40 years have gone by. It's been a flash. It really has. I've served with some incredible men and women in the Sheriff's Office and felt it was very special to be part of county government. It's certainly been my honor ... policing my home has been really, really special and continues to be."
Addressing the commissioners and the sometimes contentious budget work sessions, the Sheriff said, "Sometimes we spar, but it's always good natured and recognizing that we're working toward the same goal."
"This county is in gratitude to you," Commissioner Mike Hewitt told Sheriff Cameron. "I've sparred with you on your sheriff's budget, but our goals are the same - what's good for St. Mary's County."
Sheriff Cameron said of his career, "I can't imagine writing the script any better."
