Nicole Heppenstall, Captain

Captain Nicole Heppenstall has proudly served with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office since 2008, building a career defined by leadership, professionalism, and dedication to the community. She began her service in District 2 patrol, where she gained valuable frontline experience and later contributed as a Field Training Officer, Community Outreach deputy, and Special Operations Team instructor. She went on to serve as a Detective in District 3, investigating property crimes and violent offenses, and later as a Professional Standards Corporal and Sergeant, ensuring accountability and upholding the agency’s core values.

Her leadership continued to grow when she was promoted to Lieutenant, serving in both District 5 and District 1. In August 2023, she was promoted to Captain and assigned to the Professional Standards Bureau, where she led with integrity until her transfer to District 3 in September 2024, where she currently serves as Captain.

A native of Homestead, Florida, Captain Heppenstall earned her degree in Criminal Justice from Florida A&M University. She remains passionate about training and mentorship, investing in the professional growth of deputies and emphasizing the importance of integrity and service. Above all, she is a devoted deputy, a loving wife, and a caring mother.