The Broxson Dynasty

The Sheriff’s of Santa Rosa County

By Mike Simmons

He was an outsider. It was not likely that he was going to win. The good old boy system in Santa Rosa County, Florida was alive and well, and only those who were on the inside were allowed to take office, especially as sheriff. Even the Pensacola News Journal listed him as “a preacher,” like it was a bad thing.

There were two qualities about Bart Broxson. First he was smart – well, maybe wise is the better word. He knew the odds. He also knew the needs. He knew when to say what needed to be said and how to say it, and he knew when to keep quiet.

Secondly, he was a hard worker. The best partner of political saavy was elbow grease, and he had plenty. He was the guy who built the house for his family – in his spare time. He knew how to keep at something until he saw results.

As election day approached, all of those in charge of the county government were stunned that he was still in the race, never mind moving up in the polls. But Broxson just kept pounding away and, slowly, he won people over.

Finally, it arrived – the voting booths saw action all day. But no one could tell until the votes were counted. Incumbent Marshall Hayes was confident that he would prevail. He had done the right work in the right place to make that happen. But it didn’t. The Thursday, May 31, 1956, edition of the Pensacola News Journal said it all, “Marshall Hayes of Santa Rosa lost to Bart D. Broxson.” A new sheriff was in town.

Thursday night, December 24, 1959: When people envision the perfect Christmas Eve, it usually includes snow, fire in the fireplace, and hot cocoa. Fifty degrees makes for a mild – and maybe miserable – Christmas Eve in many places. But in Florida, that might be perfect for putting people in the holiday spirit. That was the temperature on that fateful night.

What was happening that was common for Christmas Eve was that the younger of the 11 Broxson children were at home waiting for their Daddy. Sheriff Broxson and Deputy Hubert Lowry were at work delivering Christmas turkeys to needy families. Ironically, the men had just left one house in Bart’s old stomping ground of Holley. Bart, who was driving, pulled out onto Highway 87 and turned north. As soon as 57-year-old Broxson turned the automobile, another vehicle ventured into his lane and headed straight for him…at 80 miles per hour. Sixty-seven feet before impact the skids began, but it was not enough. The vehicle struck Sheriff Broxson’s car head-on, killing him instantly and severely injuring Deputy Lowry Interview with Sen. Doug Broxson, August 23, 2022. The driver of the other vehicle, 22-year-old Lonnie Anderson, was also injured. Both men were transported to the hospital.

If you have ever experienced the loss of a loved one, you are on the way. What about a close relative? What about immediate family? As a child? What about the loss of your indestructible knight in shining armor? That is how the Broxson children felt. No Christmas in the Broxson household would ever be the same. A dark cloud would forever haunt the family during the holiday season every year. A wife would be without her companion, kids would be fatherless, and a strong, upright community leader was no longer. Sad. Very sad.

Life goes on for those left to mourn. Maybe it even picked up a little. On Christmas morning, Mrs. Broxson received an unexpected Christmas gift from her husband – a badge. It is of utmost importance that a county does not go without a sheriff, the chief law enforcement officer. In a temporary capacity, Annie Broxson was appointed sheriff of Santa Rosa County, while she was mourning the death of her husband. Judge Melvin explained that the appointment was temporary, and a replacement would be announced in a few days by the governor. Apparently, the wife-appointment process was quite common for sheriffs killed in the line of duty. Several others have been appointed across Florida. But…it didn’t make it easy for Annie Broxson.

Bart and Annie’s 3^rd son, John, was also a preacher. But he was the man that Bart had named as his choice as a replacement in case something ever happened to him. Then, on Thursday, December 31, 1959, the Pensacola News Journal announced it, “Minister Gets Sheriff’s Post in Santa Rosa.” A day earlier, Governor LeRoy Collins appointed him to fill his father’s position. Wow – that shocked a lot of people.

So, the dynasty continued. And in a most unusual way. For the first time in history, a father, mother, and son were all sheriffs of the same county in one week.

John went on to serve as Florida State Senator for many years. By the way, the youngest of the Bart and Annie Broxson children, Doug, serves as the current state senator. He is cut from the same cloth, in case you are wondering.