J U N E 2 0 2 0 I S S U E 1 the official ALABAMA SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER INSIDE THIS ISSUE Message from Robert D. "Bobby" Timmons, MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ASA Executive Director Today we enter a new era in our lives; COVID-19 MESSAGE FROM THE has opened a new door to how we will live today ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT and in our future, which is unknown and scary, but there is no history to research. We will accept SHERIFF'S MOTHER the hand that is dealt us, respect it through the MAKES MASKS movement of our leaders and researchers and pray for a better tomorrow. In society today we are strongly recommended to wear a mask, keep SHERIFF MAKES JR. DEPUTY social distancing at 6 feet apart, and avoid large groups. COVID-19 brings heart problems, IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER crystallized lungs, affects the kidneys and brings death. Respect it and protect yourself. 1ST QUARTER PROMOTIONS COVID-19 blankets the world as does the abuse of ASA LEGISLATIVE REPORT bad law enforcement prevailing today by a few that are causing our profession to take a beating. GRANTS 101 It's time to stop and talk to that person in the mirror whether you are management level or Alabama Sheriffs Association enforcement level. Everybody knows right from 514 Washington Ave wrong. Good respectable law enforcement is the Montgomery, AL 36104-4385 backbone of society. The power of words makes Office: 334.264.7827 an honest society or corruption throughout. If we Office: 800.622.7827 - Fax: 334.269.5588 all practiced the Boy Scouts of America’s motto, Email: [email protected] “Be Prepared” and Supernumerary Sheriff Bryant Website: ALABAMASHERIFFS.COM Mixon’s, “Less Said, Best Said,” this ol’ world would be a much better place to raise your family. The ASA Newsletter is sponsored by ASA Director's message continued on page 7 J U N E 2 0 2 0 I S S U E 1 Message from Sheriff Derrick Cunningham, ASA President As you can imagine, I am still beyond excited to have been sworn in as the President of the Alabama Sheriffs Association for 2020. The position of President of our association has a long history of maintaining the advancement of the office of sheriff in all communities and the great State of Alabama. With that being said, the chief law enforcement officer of the county has a great responsibility to the citizens' that reside in your county, as well as those that travel through your communities daily. They, along with the members Montgomery County Sheriff Derrick of your agencies, depend on our leadership Cunningham abilities. My challenge to you is to continue to be P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F T H E M O N T G O M E R Y C O U N T Y connected to your citizens by being engaged and S H E R I F F S O F F I C E remaining a strong voice in your communities. proposed don’t negatively affect Alabama law enforcement officers and their ability to keep our Your involvement means being proactive, as it citizens safe. We must continue to be progressive relates to my motto, “bridging the gap.” Our as it relates to training, by ensuring our leaders priority should be making sure every community and managers have the means necessary to is provide relevant training opportunities. It is vital safe and seeing that our citizen’s needs are met. that this training takes place in an environment Having a strong relationship with Alabama Legislature is one important key to this success. We must work together when bills are being ASA President's message continued on page 3 created; making sure that laws which are being Fallen Heroes Honored The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office honored their fallen officers on Friday, May 15, 2020. Sheriff West placed a wreath on their memorial in honor of Sheriff Big John Williams and Lieutenant Levy Pettway. Sheriff West also stated that the County was in the process of erecting a sign that will be placed on the courthouse for all of their fallen officers as well as giving recognition to those past Sheriffs in Lowndes County. Page 2 J U N E 2 0 2 0 I S S U E 1 Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Partners with Meals on Wheels to deliver Meals to Seniors During COVID-19 Pandemic by Sgt. Joni Money, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office March 27, 2020 – Sheriff Mark Pettway and his staff are doing their part to help make sure that seniors in the Jefferson County area are still able to receive their meal deliveries, courtesy of Meals on Wheels. Deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office are helping deliver meals in the Forestdale and Bessemer areas of the county. In addition to delivering the meals, the seniors can advise Deputies of any additional needs during the drop-off. Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway says he’s honored that his office can do a small part in helping our seniors during such an unfathomable time. “I want our citizens to know that our roles as deputies go beyond just keeping you safe,” Pettway said. Sheriff Pettway has challenged all of the employees in his office to come together and look for ways that we can do our part to help our community make it through this unprecedented time. Pettway says this partnership with Meals on Wheels is just one way his department can help serve Jefferson County. Meals on Wheels serves hundreds of senior citizens within Jefferson County. While the non-profit agency is continuing its service, Jefferson County Deputies are stepping up where help is needed. The agency has been concerned about its older volunteers and is calling for the younger generation to pitch in as well. Meals on Wheels Senior Vice President of Community Initiatives Karla Lawrence said, “During a time such as this, we are forever grateful for county partners such as JCSO, but we want the public to know that this must be a community effort.” Lawrence expressed her feelings regarding the outreach, “My hope is that as a community we can keep filling in the gap to ensure that our seniors don’t go without.” ASA President's message continued from page 2 that focuses on professional principles and association by allowing Sheriffs from throughout encourages and facilitates community trust. There the State of Alabama to encourage and provide their are several topics that need to be incorporated, employees and local business partners to become however, the most important training topics should associate members. This will further “bridge the be ethics, the proper use of force, and gap” that we so critically wish to achieve. communication skills. Lastly, our creed and motto, “No Sheriff shall stand The Alabama Sheriffs Association will also utilize alone” will reign true for all Sheriffs. To paraphrase innovative technology to enhance communication John F. Kennedy: “We shall pay any price, bear any between all Sheriffs within the State of Alabama. burden, meet any hardship, and support any friend.” Through the assistance of the ASA’s mobile app, all No matter the tragedy or disaster, man-made or counties will have the opportunity to “bridge the natural, local or statewide, we stand together for all gap” and take advantage of more efficient training Sheriffs in the great state of Alabama. locations and dates. Furthermore, the mobile app can “push” vital information to a community in a Thank you again for allowing me to be your matter of seconds. As you already know, technology President for 2020! changes daily. With this in mind, in order to capture the attention of our future generations, we must ensure the Office of Alabama Sheriffs is marketable to our youth. We will continue to improve the Page 3 J U N E 2 0 2 0 I S S U E 1 Masks and a Mother's Love By Phillip Tutor, Star Columnist, [email protected] Down in Alpine, not far from Sylacauga, Debbie “All over the country,” The New York Times reported Wade read the news, and it was ruthlessly bleak. The this week, “homebound Americans are crafting darkness was unabated: the spread of the novel thousands upon thousands of face masks to help coronavirus, the sickness, the deaths, the fear, the shield doctors, nurses and many others from the unknown. And there was nothing she could do. coronavirus.” Well, there was one thing. Farhad Manjoo, an op-ed columnist at The Times, explained Wednesday that 80 percent of the “I’m not a seamstress,” she said, “but I can sew.” world’s masks are made in China, where the virus began and exports have dramatically slowed. He So she started sewing. wrote: “Given the vast global need for masks — in the United States alone, fighting the coronavirus And, yes, Debbie’s last name is the same as the will consume 3.5 billion face masks, according to an Calhoun County sheriff’s because she is Sheriff estimate by the Department of Health and Human Matthew Wade’s mother. She’s intrinsically Services — corporate generosity will fall short. connected to the sheriff’s office’s deputies and staff People in the mask business say it will take a few members. months, at a minimum, to significantly expand production.” And that’s not good enough. She’s cooked them meals of chicken and dumplings. She helps out at the department’s annual turkey So Americans are sewing.