Dave Bautista has received an honorary deputy sheriff distinction from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, recognizing the actor’s longstanding ties to the Tampa community. The announcement was shared publicly by Bautista on April 19 through his Instagram account.
The former professional wrestler posted a selfie holding the badge and ID. “I didn’t see that one coming either,” he wrote, adding thanks to Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister and WWE Global Ambassador Titus O’Neil. “Big love and thanks to my brother @titusoneilwwe and Sheriff @chadchronister for the honor and for everything you do for this community. Appreciate you both.”
Bautista has lived in the Tampa area for over twenty years, relocating there during his rise in WWE. He mentioned the personal significance of the city in the same post: “Tampa’s held a special place in my heart ever since I moved here 20 years ago. Always has. Always will.”
The response to the announcement included supportive comments from public figures and local peers. O’Neil replied with “Love you brother,” while Tampa-based actor Brittany Snow wrote, “I’m very proud of you & grateful. ILY.”
In addition to his acting and wrestling careers, Bautista opened DC Society Ink, a tattoo studio on Kennedy Boulevard in Tampa, in 2022. He explained that the name references both his birthplace, Washington, D.C., and his personal motto, Dream Chaser. “To a lot of people, it might sound hokey, but I live by it,” he said. “You chase your dreams no matter what, no matter what people tell you.”
Bautista, now 56, retired from wrestling after WrestleMania 35 in 2019. He marked the moment with a social media message to fans. “To all the @wwe fans across the world that gave me the opportunity to suspend your disbelief, thank you,” he wrote. “From the biggest part of my heart thank you for letting me entertain you.” He added that his final match was a personal milestone. “Tonight was my story book ending and I wanted to leave you with all I had to give. I’ll miss this theater of violence more than I can express in words but I am officially retiring from Sports Entertainment.”
Bautista entered WWE in the early 2000s and built a career around high-profile matches before turning to acting. His roles include parts in Guardians of the Galaxy, Dune: Part Two, and Knock at the Cabin. He has also taken on smaller, character-focused roles that highlight his interest in diverse material.
His upcoming slate includes a science fiction film titled Dreadnought, a wedding comedy opposite Anne Hathaway, and the ensemble feature Alpha Gang, where he will appear with Cate Blanchett. He recently signed with WME for agency representation.
Though the honorary sheriff title is symbolic, the presentation reflects Bautista’s ongoing presence in Hillsborough County and his personal ties to its public and civic figures.
