| On January 17, 2007 Kenneth W. Ellis was sworn in as the first African American Sheriff of Hale County Alabama. Sheriff Ellis brings his 20 years of law enforcement experience to the Hale County Sheriff's Office. Since taking office Sheriff Ellis has made numerous upgrades in equipment, personnel and technology. Sheriff Ellis has purchased new patrol cars, installed laptop computers and video cameras in patrol units, body cameras for deputies, and increased patrol deputies in the Sheriff's Office by 50%. Sheriff Ellis's number one goal is to protect the citizens of Hale County, and in doing so, he has obtained the Offender Watch System TM . This innovative system allows the Sheriff's Office to monitor all registered sex offenders residing in Hale County. In 2008 Sheriff Ellis offered VineLink Service TM to Hale County citizens. This system enables residents to keep track of people incarcerated in any county jail in the State of Alabama. Citizens may also receive alerts by telephone or computer anytime of the day or night if an offender has been released or transferred from jail. Sheriff Ellis began his career in the U.S Army where he served twenty years before retiring with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. After his retirement Sheriff Ellis joined the Montgomery Police Department where he was employed as a police officer. Sheriff Ellis was decorated Officer of the Quarter as well the distinguished Officer of the Year, several times in his Montgomery police career. After six years of service to the citizens of Montgomery, Sheriff Ellis heard "mama calling", and returned home to Hale County. In 2000 Sheriff Ellis was appointed Chief of Police for the Town of Moundville. Ellis served for six years as Police Chief and in 2006, after longtime Sheriff Larry G. Johnson announced his retirement, Ellis decided to run for the Office of Sheriff. Sheriff Ellis attended Hale County Schools as well as John C. Calhoun Junior College and Alabama A&M University, where he received a degree in Applied Science. Sheriff Ellis has numerous law enforcement credentials including; Ethics, Executive Management, Strategic Planning, Homeland Security, Executive Leadership Development, and Interviewing. Sheriff Ellis has been appointed to numerous boards throughout the state, and is the 2016 Past President of the Alabama Sheriff's Association. Sheriff Ellis resides with his wife Stella in Havana. The Sheriff has three children; Tifni, Maurice and Kenyanita. Sheriff Ellis is also a member of Greater St. Stephens Baptist Church in Sawyerville, Alabama. |
SHERIFF KENNETH W. ELLIS
| 25 Year Veteran |
