Dear Sheriffs and Friends of our Association:

One of the things I feel is very important to the Sheriffs of the great State of Alabama is Unity. 

 From Psalms 133:1

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

 Alexander Dumas, one of the Three Musketeers, once said “All for one and one for all; United we stand and divided we fall.” 

 Unity means harmony, an agreement among people, undivided and unbroken.  Each of the 67 Sheriffs of Alabama represents links in a chain that should be linked together - without any broken links.  I personally have been a part of this association through some life changing experiences, and without our fellow sheriffs to stand by us in these difficult times, where would we be?  In supporting the association, we must support the needs of one another and act on their request.  With the unity of the sheriffs standing side by side, we can move this Association forward for positive changes in the years to come. 

 One of my goals for this association, while I serve as your President, is to always remember, “No Sheriff Shall Stand Alone.”

 I have attended the conferences since taking office in 2003 and am very blessed to have gained a great deal of knowledge from other sheriffs outside the scheduled meetings.  During this time, not only have we discussed issues in the small and large counties, but also have established meaningful friendships that we each will cherish for a lifetime.  The crimes in the small and large counties are the same and are dealt with in the same manner by the Sheriffs’ Offices.

 In law enforcement, we are forced to make decisions that the general public may not always agree with.  With what I have learned from Mr. Timmons and fellow Sheriffs, I am able to make better decisions for the citizens of my county.  At the end of the day, I can honestly say that I have made the right decision and can lay my head down at night without regrets. 

 Elected Sheriffs are accountable directly to the constitution of their state, the United States Constitution and the citizens of their county.  Times sure have changed for the Office we hold in 2013.

 When people hear the word Sheriff, they automatically think of Sheriff Andy Taylor and his model community.  Don’t we wish we all lived in his model community? 

 The Sheriffs today wear many different hats when elected to the office.  We are considered the top law enforcement officer in our county.  We manage the warrants, the civil process, and sex offenders. We are sometimes the plumber or have to pull kitchen duties. We manage employees, the jail and inmates. We are named guardians and oversee court security. But most of all, we are problem solvers and peacemakers. And this is just to name a few of our responsibilities.  Citizens do feel that the Sheriff can fix everything and sometimes we even need law degrees.  My experience with the general public is they just want someone to listen to their problems and give advice when necessary.

 From a new country boy and small county Sheriff, I am humbly blessed to serve as your next President of the Alabama Sheriffs Association.   

Kevin