Mike Williams will end more than three decades with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office with his retirement Friday -- a year before the end of his second term as the city’s sheriff.

Thursday morning, Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams announced his retirement effective June 10.

For seven years – Mike Williams served as Jacksonville’s Sheriff. He’s been with the department for 31 years.

The lawyer for the city of Jacksonville drafted what would have been a legally binding opinion that found Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams vacated his office when he moved from Duval County to Nassau County last year.

Many people in Jacksonville are telling News4JAX they feel Mike Williams made the right decision in announcing an early retirement.

Right now, there are six candidates who are running in the 2023 election and now they may have to gear up for a special election in just a couple of months.

JSO Sheriff Mike Williams has announced his retirement Thursday morning. His letter says he is retiring June 10.

City Council President Sam Newby, who had requested the opinion from general counsel’s office, withdrew his request after Williams announced Thursday that he will retire June 10.

While the city’s general counsel mulls over the looming legal issues surrounding Sheriff Williams’ move to Nassau County, there are calls for his salary and retirement to be paid back to the taxpayers if lawyers determine Williams vacated his seat last spring.

Sheriff Mike Williams faces questions about living in Nassau County for the past year while serving as sheriff of Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

TELL US: What do you think about Sheriff Mike Williams living in Nassau County?

Sheriff Mike Williams answered reporters questions Monday about living in Nassau County for the past year while serving as sheriff of Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.