James Jones

This article is about the Sheriff. For similarly named people, see James Jones (disambiguation).

James Lewis Jones, Sr (born 1936 in Columbus, Georgia - died July 6, 2007 at Shelby Baptist Medical Center) was a three-term Sheriff of Shelby County from 1991 to 2003.

Jones was the son of a Georgia highway patrolman and joined the Shelby County Sheriff's Office as a deputy in 1974 and graduated from the University of Alabama Law Enforcement Academy in 1975. He went on to complete the FBI's National Academy course in 1982.

After taking over the office of Sheriff, Jones introduced incentives for employees who earned college degrees and psychological testing for recruits. He served as chaplain for the Alabama Sheriff's Association and helped develop the Shelby County Law Enforcement Chaplain's Association.

He represented the Alabama Sheriff's Association on the Alabama Mental Health Board and also served on the boards of the King's Ranch, the Alabama Sheriff's Boys and Girls Ranch and the Salvation Army. He was a lifetime member of the Fraternal Order of Police. He was also an active member of The Church at Brook Hills where he helped launch a motorcycle ministry.

Jones died of cancer in July 2007 at Shelby Baptist Medical Center. He is buried in a private cemetery on his family's property near Wilsonville. He and his wife, Debbi, had two sons, Cam and Buck, and one daughter, Regina.

Preceded by: Buddy Glasgow

Shelby County Sheriff 1991–2002

Succeeded by: Chris Curry

References

• Wilstach, Nancy and Malcomb Daniels (July 7, 2007) "James Jones, veteran Shelby sheriff, 71, dies." Birmingham News.
• "James Lewis Jones, Sr." obituary (July 8, 2007) Birmingham News.