Reggie Kyle

Etowah County Sheriff Jonathon Horton says his marine team has been together for seventeen years and their current boat is older than that.

With help from Senator Katie Britt, Sheriff Horton says his department put in for a grant six to eight months ago through the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriation Bill.

He says they were notified two weeks ago they will get the money in 2025. Sheriff Horton says by securing this $300,000 grant, his department will be able to buy a new boat for their marine unit with the latest technology and equipment to better serve the county.

“We patrol over 450 miles of shoreline or assist our ALEA marine unit and our volunteer fire department, other counties that surround us because Henry Neely runs from St. Clair to Calhoun County through Etowah County. This is a big help for us, we’ll be out there during river festivals,” said Horton.

Coming from Mobile, Sheriff Horton says this new boat will take up to a year from order to delivery due to it being customized for the department.