In 1981, he was appointed by President Ronald Reagan and confirmed by the United States Senate as U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Florida. He continued to serve as a Marshal under President George H.W. Bush and received Top-Secret Clearance following two complete FBI background investigations. In addition to his time as a Marshal, McLendon served as a Representative for Congressman L.A. “Skip” Bafalis, a deputy with the Leon County Sheriff's Office, the Police and Public Safety Director for St. Cloud (Florida), and a trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol.

 

McLendon was recognized as Riverside’s Distinguished Alumnus in 2023.