Our Investigators have been busy this past month. October’s highlights included 2 search warrants with narcotics being seized. Those types of narcotics included methamphetamine, ecstasy, cannabis wax, cocaine, and fentanyl.
 
We appreciate the community’s participation and the tips you submit. Seven of these narcotics tips were investigated and yielded four arrests. One of the tips led to our investigations team obtaining and executing a search warrant. The other tips led investigators to get three individuals medical assistance. These three individuals were using a fentanyl analog that, after prolonged use, causes skin to deteriorate to the point where necrosis sets in. By following up on these tips, Investigators were able to get those involved to medical assistance.
 
The month also included a vehicle pursuit that went into Jefferson County, and continued into Blount County. With assistance from other agencies, the pursuit was ended without further incident, and the driver was taken into custody on several felony warrants with surrounding agencies.
 
To end on, three stolen vehicles were recovered, and there is so much more we could say, but we want to say thank you to our community. Each tip that comes in is fully investigated. Whether it leads to nothing, or even to an arrest, your tips make a difference! Our team can’t be everywhere at once, but we can be where the community needs us. Submit your tips via the WCSO app, where they can remain completely anonymous.

There’s a new unit cruising the streets, but it’s actually been in service for a few years now. You may be asking how that’s possible. We recently upgraded the fleet of vehicles for the investigations division with unmarked F-150s. That left a small pool of vehicles with relatively low miles, and in good condition for use, and that is where this gray charger came from!

Since purchasing a fleet of Chevrolet Silverados back in 2019, those trucks have accrued almost 1,000,000 miles total, so they’re due for replacement. These, and some older Tahoes and chargers, will be sold at auction. However, this charger was a perfect candidate to stick around!
 
This charger only has 65,000 miles, as it was a vehicle used for investigations. So, we decided to keep it in the fleet. This bad boy will get to continue tracking down drug dealers and serving the community, but just with a few more cool stickers on it.
 
If you see a gray marked charger, it’s us, so obey the rules of the road, because it’s ready to continue life to the fullest!

This evening, we celebrated the career of Chief Deputy Anthony Leach at a retirement dinner.

Anthony has served his community for 28 years of his life, and has been selfless in every moment of it. From being a patrol deputy, shift supervisor, investigator, SWAT trainer, and so much more- his absence will be felt for a long time. Men like Anthony are irreplaceable, because they don't just clock in and clock out. It isn't a job. It's a lifestyle of public service, and we are proud that he chose to spend so many years of his life with us.

Now he gets to spend time at home with his wife, kids, and grand kids. Well done, Anthony!

The Oakman Police Department obtained a felony warrant for Kidnapping 2nd degree, Burglary 1st degree, and Domestic Violence 1st Assault on an individual after an investigation.  Chief Marbury made the Sheriff’s Office aware of the warrant.  

Recently, a Sheriff’s Office Investigator on the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force along with other task force members took the subject into custody in the Oakman community.

Jordan Allen Lopez, age 25 of Oakman, was arrested and taken to the Walker County Jail.

All persons are presumed innocent, until proven guilty in a court of law.

Walker County investigators have started an investigation into Burrows Crossing and have begun looking into the case that led to the arrest of Bubba Crockett.

Investigators located him at a residence on Old Birmingham Hwy and recovered 5 of the stolen firearms, including 3 long guns and 2 pistols. Narcotics were also found on his person. Bubba has warrants throughout the county and surrounding counties, and he was charged, last night, with Burglary 3rd and Theft 2nd, with possible more charges to come.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Today, VFW Post 4850 honored our veterans with a parade through Downtown Jasper. The WCSO gladly participated and created a float, featuring decorative flags, and even an eagle costume!
 
We had a blast at the parade, but the parade’s true meaning was not forgotten. Our veteran community served our nation with pride, honor, and selfless dedication. Their willingness to fight for our freedom is an example to us all. The valor, courage, and bravery of each veteran is appreciated beyond words. The veteran community is unlike any other, with unmatched resolve, and sense of duty to the community. Some of our finest deputies and corrections officers are veterans, and they continue to serve our community with pride and excellence.
 
We thank our veterans, and we thank our local VFW post for recognizing our float!

As football season draws nearer to the end, we made a stop out at the Cordova High School Homecoming Parade. Cordova holds a near and dear place in Sheriff’s heart, as he served as Cordova’s Chief of Police from 2012 until taking on the role of sheriff in 2019.
 
Cordova is a community that has been through a lot over the years, but it is a beautiful thing to see smiles, and laughter as the city continues to grow, and thrive. We love being in a great atmosphere, and Cordova always provides just that.
 
We want to take a moment and thank Chief Culverson and the City of Cordova for continuing the fantastic working relationship with the Sheriff’s Office, and we look forward to what we can accomplish in the future, together!
 
Go Blue Devils, and beat the Rams tonight!

Following the consolidation of the narcotics, criminal, and sex offense investigations divisions under a unified investigations division, Walker County has had a significant increase of recovered property and vehicles.

Sheriff Smith and the commission worked towards a compromise to decrease overtime expenses during the last fiscal year, and prepare for the upcoming pay raises in January. The WCSO employee number was capped, and compensatory time was instituted. To decrease the open slots, the investigations division was consolidated, and placed under the command of Captain Darrell Mote. Captain Mote was the division head of the criminal investigations and sex offense investigations, but now oversees the narcotics and street crimes investigators.

This allows for the reduction of slots, but not losing the much-needed personnel. In the consolidation, information is much more free flowing between the division members, and this is greatly evident in recent seizures of stolen property and vehicles.

In the past week, your WCSO investigators have recovered FIVE stolen vehicles, and FOURTEEN stolen firearms. Some vehicles were recovered in the Saragossa Community, however some of the property made its way to the City of Leeds. By working closely with Leeds Police Investigators, investigators were able to recover much of the property reported stolen.

Charges will be announced once warrants are obtained and served. These suspects are currently incarcerated with other jurisdictions, but we have the resources to go extradite those who do crime in our county!

These recoveries are the direct result of three things:
1.        Better communication and synergy within the unified investigations division
2.        Inter-agency cooperation
3.        Citizen Tips

We thank our investigators for their tireless dedication to our communities. They regularly have to sacrifice time, from their families, to come to scenes at all hours of the night. That time we pay them never can repay the lost memories with family, or friends. We can never repay them for that time, but we can all say thank you. The next time you see someone sporting a black polo that says investigator, tell them THANK YOU!

The reality of law enforcement is that we cannot be in all places, at all times. By speaking up, and saying something when suspicious activity takes place, you could make all the difference in whether a criminal evades justice. If YOU see something, SAY something, by submitting your tips through our app. They remain completely anonymous, and we investigate every lead to its fullest extent. Download our app by following the link below, and BE THE REASON someone gets their car back, their firearms back, or gets a case solved. Your tips are invaluable, so please submit them!

In continuing with our SRO fleet program, you will see our Dora school resource officer sporting a vehicle with a new striping design.
 
We’ve designed and rolled out school themed SRO cars, with the latest being issued to SRO Deputy Tim Thacker. From the halls, to the roads, everyone will easily spot and recognize this iconic and new design, featuring the bulldog logo, and pawprints beneath.
 
The each car features a student-made drawing, with Eli Pate being the featured artist of the Dora SRO car. We’re proud to showcase our students’ creativity, and this gives our students to see their own work, every school day.
 
We’re excited to be more than just a policing agency. We strive to be a part of our communities, and find ways to be more approachable. With these car designs, students, parents, and teachers find it easier to approach our deputies, and get help, or just strike up a conversation! We love the communities we serve, and look forward to how we can better serve you!