Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Discusses Community Outreach, Training Advancements, and Department Growth
Centre, Ala. — Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver and Chief Deputy Josh Summerford joined WEIS Radio for an on-air interview Monday, July 14th, to discuss recent initiatives and ongoing developments within the Sheriff’s Office. You can listen to the full interview below:
Sheriff Shaver emphasized the department’s continuing efforts to strengthen relationships with the public through a series of community meetings. These gatherings, held across the county, give residents the opportunity to learn more about departmental operations, ask questions, and meet the officers who serve them.
“These meetings not only allow us to share updates on what’s happening within the department, but more importantly, they give us the opportunity to listen to the public,” Shaver said. “It’s important for us to stay in touch with the community we serve.”
Chief Deputy Summerford noted that a slideshow presentation is included at each meeting, offering a comprehensive overview of the various roles and services the department provides.
The next community meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 15th, at the Hopewell Community Center in McCord’s Crossroads, located at 7290 County Road 16 in Centre. The meeting will begin at 5 p.m., and everyone is encouraged to attend.
During the interview, Sheriff Shaver also provided an update on the department’s new training center, which is nearing completion. In an effort to save taxpayer money, the Sheriff’s Office acted as its own contractor for the project—resulting in a savings of approximately $1.3 million for Cherokee County.
Training partnerships have been established with Jacksonville State University, the University of Tennessee, and the Birmingham Sheriff’s Academy. Shaver emphasized the importance of maintaining up-to-date training standards for all deputies.
Chief Deputy Summerford highlighted the department’s newest initiative—appointing a Mental Health Officer to address the growing number of calls involving individuals experiencing mental health crises. Deputy Greg Walker currently holds this position, which is funded by a two-year grant from the Department of Justice. After that period, funding will transition to the Cherokee County Commission.
“Roughly half of the calls we respond to have a mental health component,” said Summerford. “This position allows us to handle those situations more effectively and enables our enforcement deputies to focus on other duties.”
Both Shaver and Summerford acknowledged the vital role federal grants play in supporting department projects, such as the training center. They recently hosted their first training event in the new facility, which brought in representatives from 13 counties.
Sheriff Shaver took time to commend the hard work of the department’s staff, particularly those working behind the scenes, such as the corrections officers at the Cherokee County Detention Center, which processed nearly 1,700 bookings in the past year.
He also praised the School Resource Officers (SROs), who were recently honored with a TEAM award at the state level, recognizing their exceptional service to local schools.
Shaver reflected on how the department has expanded since he began his career, both in personnel and in the range of services offered. This includes the addition of a Marine Patrol Unit and more specialized divisions to address the county’s growing needs.
“As the county grows, so do our responsibilities,” Shaver stated. “With more people, we see an increase in calls and arrests.”
The Sheriff highlighted the department’s proactive approach to law enforcement, referencing a recent warrant roundup and the successful operation of the Major Crimes Unit. According to Summerford, these efforts have contributed to a significant drop in violent crime in Cherokee County.
“This is the result of our patrol deputies, investigators, and drug enforcement officers working together as a team,” Summerford said. “Their dedication has made Cherokee County a safer place.”
The public plays an important role in crime prevention, the Sheriff said, encouraging residents to report suspicious activity—either anonymously or directly—through the department’s website, phone line, or in person.
“The best security you can have is a good neighbor,” Shaver added.
The Sheriff’s Office is also seeking new recruits and encourages those interested in law enforcement to apply. Shaver advised prospective applicants to focus on education and good grades, noting that many successful careers in the department begin in the corrections division.
Applications can be picked up at the Sheriff’s Office.
For more information, visit the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office website or contact the department directly.
