Bio
From humble beginnings growing up on a dairy farm in Northern Illinois, Michael knew at a young age that he wanted a career in law enforcement. He moved to South Florida in 1969, graduated the police academy, and joined Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office in early 1971 as a young deputy.
Over the years, his dedication to the job and to his community saw him progress throughout different roles, from patrol to narcotics, tactical to detective bureau and community policing, and ultimately to the executive branch, where he was named Chief Deputy, second only to the Sheriff.
Though he has made thousands of arrests throughout his career, he has always seen law enforcement a bit differently than most. His goal was never to make arrests, “lock ‘em up” or display his authority in any other manner. Instead, his goal was to build relationships. He wanted people to know that law enforcement officers weren’t the enemy. He became a friend, an educator, a mentor, and offered a safe place for those in crisis. He helped addicts get clean, helped victims find safety, and helped those on paths filled with poor decisions realize there were better options.
He gave countless hours to both the job, and to nonprofit organizations throughout the county. He embodies the servant mentality and the idea of leading by example. These are just a few of the reasons he touched so many lives over his 50 years at Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
Until retirement, Chief Deputy Michael Gauger, MSW served as the Senior Executive Staff Officer for the Department of Law Enforcement Operations and Corrections. As Chief Deputy for the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, he was responsible for an annual budget of $292 million, with a staff composition of 1,563 sworn and 1,734 non-sworn personnel; and a Corrections' budget of $136 million, with a staff of 710 sworn personnel.
He is a distinguished honor graduate of Barry University, with a Masters in Social Work. Additionally, he is a graduate of the 81st Session, Southern Police Institute, University of Louisville, Kentucky, Administrative Officer's Course, Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government’s Executive Program, as well as a 1996 Alumni of Leadership Palm Beach County.
Michael is an active member of many philanthropic, fraternal, and community-based organizations. He has earned many prestigious awards over a distinguished 50+ year career, including a recent Special Citation for Meritorious Service, from the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, in Washington, D.C. for his work in improving the quality of life for those in public housing.
Gauger has also been an adjunct professor and guest lecturer on community and problem-solving based policing and ethics and integrity.
He has been married to Phyllis since 1976 and they have two adult children, Amanda and Michael.
Community Involvement
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
JFK Medical Center is a multi-campus medical center with four locations throughout Palm Beach County. JFK Medical Center is committed to providing quality, cost-effective healthcare to the communities we serve. The board of trustees weighs in on health and wellness operations as well as personnel and management operations.
Board of Trustees Member
The South Florida Fair & Palm Beach County Expositions, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation 501 (c)(3). The Board of Trustees is comprised of 17 individuals who are responsible for setting policy and seeing that management of the association is carried out under direction of an executive staff consisting of the President/CEO and at present, a Vice President and four Division Directors.
Board Member
The mission of the Fern House is to take indigent, chronic drug and alcohol abusers off the streets and help them reintegrate into society; taking broken lives and making them whole. Our mission and philosophy follow the principles of AA, “We are addicts helping other addicts. We depend on the mutual help, fellowship and experience of fellow addicts and alcoholics to support each other on the journey to recovery.”
Board Member
Comprehensive Alcoholism Rehabilitation Programs (CARP) is an organization dedicated to helping the underserved alcoholic and drug addicted on their journeys to rehabilitation. CARP's goal is to help break the cycle of hopeless addiction, dependency and resulting homelessness among Palm Beach County’s economically vulnerable residents.
Board Member
The mission of Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission is to generate a positive impact on business tourism and the economy in Palm Beach County through the growth of commercial production by attracting on-location production, educating our local workforce and providing superior services to both the visiting and the indigenous production communities.
Board Member (Past Chairman)
L.E.A.F. provides financial assistance to law enforcement officers seriously injured in the line of duty or who have suffered a catastrophic event, and for the families of officers killed in the line of duty.