Shelby Sheriff Curry will not seek fourth term
Shelby County Sheriff Chris Curry has announced that he will not seek a fourth term as sheriff. Curry will have 35 years of service to the citizens of Shelby County when he leaves office.
"After many months of thoughtful and prayerful consideration, I have made the decision to not seek re-election for a fourth term as sheriff," he said in a release. "This current term does not end until January 2015, and much work remains to be done as we continue to protect the lives and property of our citizens and visitors. I cannot adequately express my gratitude to the people of Shelby County who have extended their trust, confidence, support and friendship for the 10 years I served as a volunteer deputy sheriff and the almost 23 years as a full-time servant. What a blessing it has been for me and my family."
Under his leadership, the Sheriffs Office saw the return of federal funding for a county-wide drug task force, developed the local concept of municipal law enforcement contracts, became the first local law enforcement agency in Alabama to go live with both electronic traffic citations and electronic traffic accident reporting, launched its first website with many interactive tools for citizens to use, developed both D.A.R.E. and School Resource Officer programs, placed deputies within federal task forces, implemented a mobile data terminal program making real-time information available to every deputy, and conducted countless criminal investigations leading to the apprehension and prosecution of the offenders.
"A large part of being a leader is knowing when to move on and allow others the opportunity to fill the role with fresh ideas and energy," Curry said. "The Shelby County Sheriffs Office is full of highly competent and capable individuals who will do an extraordinary job and maintain the high standards we have established throughout the years. I firmly believe in what we do and how we do it, but it is time I step aside and allow someone else the honor of leading the agency into the future."