GADSDEN– The Etowah County Sheriff’s Office will add four patrol deputy positions to strengthen coverage across the county.

Sheriff Jonathon W. Horton said the new positions follow months of work between his office and the Etowah County Commission. The announcement also outlines increased incentive pay intended to reward deputies for experience, advancement, specialized training, and physical fitness.

Horton said he could not claim full credit for the agency’s progress since taking office in 2019. “I’d like to personally thank each Commissioner for seeing the need and supporting our efforts,” Horton said.

Four Positions to Strengthen Countywide Patrol Coverage

Deputies patrol nearly 550 square miles, including rural roads and communities throughout Etowah County. As a result, each new deputy should reduce the distance between a call for help and the responding officer.

“These new positions will fill a much needed gap in our ability to respond to your calls,” Horton said. He said the positions should strengthen response at all hours.

Meanwhile, the sheriff’s office is accepting applications for all four patrol positions. Those interested in an Etowah County law enforcement career can find application information online.

Incentive Pay Added to Deputies’ Base Wages

The compensation plan adds incentive payments to each deputy’s base hourly wage. In addition, deputies may earn multiple incentives based on years of service, rank, specialty category, physical fitness, and hazardous-duty assignments.

Those payments are cumulative. Therefore, a deputy’s total compensation consists of the base hourly wage plus every applicable incentive the deputy has earned.

Horton said training and experience should earn recognition through the incentive program. He said the plan can help deputies build careers close to home.

“I’m grateful to the Commission for standing behind that,” Horton said.

Years-of-Service Incentives

The annual years-of-service incentives and their approximate weekly values are:

• Zero to four years: $3,505 annually, or $67 weekly
• Five to nine years: $4,008 annually, or $77 weekly
• 10 to 14 years: $4,500 annually, or $86 weekly
• 15 to 19 years: $5,004 annually, or $96 weekly
• 20 to 24 years: $5,508 annually, or $105 weekly
• 25 years or more: $6,000 annually, or $115 weekly

Rank Incentives

The plan also provides annual rank incentives. A deputy sheriff trainee receives no rank incentive. Other ranks receive the following amounts.

• Deputy sheriff: $500 annually, or $9 weekly
• Senior or specialist: $1,000 annually, or $19 weekly
• Investigator: $2,000 annually, or $38 weekly
• Sergeant: $3,000 annually, or $57 weekly
• Lieutenant: $4,000 annually, or $76 weekly
• Captain: $5,000 annually, or $96 weekly
• Assistant chief: $6,000 annually, or $115 weekly

Category, Fitness, and Hazardous-Duty Incentives

Specialty category incentives range from $600 to $1,200 annually. However, the release did not define the qualifications for each category.

• Category 1: $600 annually, or $11 weekly
• Category 2: $900 annually, or $17 weekly
• Category 3: $1,200 annually, or $23 weekly

Additionally, deputies who pass the physical fitness test may earn $500 annually, paid as $125 each quarter. Hazardous-duty pay adds another $100 per month for deputies who qualify.

Ultimately, the sheriff’s office adds all applicable incentives to each deputy’s base hourly pay. Horton said the plan should help retain trained deputies and support long-term careers in Etowah County.