2007 - Current
Sheriff Jeff Shaver

Sheriff Jeff Shaver began his law enforcement career nearly 40 years ago as an Alabama State Trooper Cadet in 1981.  During his year of training at the demanding academy in Selma, Shaver worked and trained in every division of the Department of Public Safety.  Upon graduation, he was sent to Russell County for 10 months before transferring to Cherokee County in 1983.  Shaver also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Jacksonville State University.

During his career as a State Trooper, Jeff won the Thunderbolt Award twice, for recovering the most stolen vehicles in the state and was also recognized as Trooper of the Year.  He obtained the rank of sergeant and was serving as Assistant Post Commander of the Jacksonville Trooper Post at his retirement in 2006.in

Sheriff Shaver was first elected Cherokee County Sheriff in 2006 and is now serving in his fourth term. "It is a high honor to serve as your Sheriff."

History of the Sheriff's Office

There have been a total of 37 sheriffs to serve Cherokee County since it was established in 1836.  Some were fathers and sons and possibly grandsons. 

Some served multiple terms, some only one.  The first sheriff, Moses H. Hughes, was appointed in 1838.  It is not known if there were any deputies at that time.

One of the longest serving and most famous sheriffs of Alabama was C.M. (Mac) Garrett.  Garrett's service from 1943-1983 was only interrupted by the service of Rusty Leath from 1955-1963.  Garrett was followed by the single terms of Jack Smith and Jack Estes, who was the first of two former Alabama State Troopers to be elected sheriff in the county.

Roy Wynn was elected to three consecutive terms before retiring in 2003 and was succeeded by the term of Larry Wilson, who previously served as Wynn's chief deputy.  The current sheriff, Jeff Shaver, was elected in 2006 and is the second former Alabama State Trooper to hold the office.

Below is a list of the former Sheriffs. If anyone has any historical information or photographs of any of the former Sheriffs, please contact Bo Jolly at 256-927-3365 to provide our office with this information.

*The names in red are already pictured on the wall at the Sheriff's Office.

Additional Information 

PDF List of Former Sheriffs of Cherokee County