From: Sheriff Mark Harrell
Autauga County, AL
My name is Mark B. Harrell, and I am honored to announce that I have officially qualified for the office of Autauga County Sheriff.
This campaign is not about politics—it’s about patriotism, service, and protecting the people of Autauga County. With 28 years of law enforcement experience and as the only candidate with military service, I am proud to continue dedicating my life to serving this community, county, and this country. I retired from the Prattville Police Department, where I served in various capacities, including Drug Enforcement Investigator, K9 Handler, Task Force Officer for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Patrol Officer, Motor Officer, and Traffic Homicide Investigator. I was a supervisor in each of these units throughout my career. I worked hard to get every position I held, and nothing was ever just handed to me. I’m proud to have served the City of Prattville for 25 years of continuous service.
It has been a great honor to serve as your current Sheriff. Every day, my focus is on public safety, supporting our deputies, and upholding the Constitution with integrity and fairness. I have implemented several new programs at the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office since being in office, and below are only a few:
- Mental Health– I hired a deputy who is skilled and knowledgeable in dealing with the mental health crisis we as a state and country are dealing with. The Deputy’s job daily is to make sure we are not housing individuals in the Autauga County Metro Jail who are going through a mental health crisis and get them the help they need.
- Community Involvement– I have created a Public Relations Unit at the Sheriff’s Office. This unit focuses on community events. Within this unit, the Deputies have implemented the Autauga County Sheriff’s Rodeo, a Special Needs Fishing Rodeo, and have been more visible at events throughout the community. My goal with this unit is to find out the needs of the community and help serve those needs.
- Autauga County Sheriff’s Foundation– I created a 501 (3c), so that community partners have a way to give back to the community through donations at the Sheriff’s Office. These donations from corporations and individuals allow the Sheriff’s Office to purchase much-needed equipment that is not within the Sheriff’s Office budget and allow the Sheriff’s Office to give back to the community through events or assistance.
- Upgraded Equipment– I have upgraded the equipment of the Sheriff’s Office to help the Deputies better serve the citizens of Autauga County. This includes computer systems that help the Internet Crimes Unit catch sexual predators preying on our most vulnerable citizens, children. The SWAT Team no longer purchases its own equipment and is funded by the Sheriff’s Office budget. Deputies have a full duty uniform that is professional and is provided by the Sheriff’s Office. Deputy vehicles have upgraded equipment and tools needed to better enforce laws to serve and protect the citizens of Autauga County.
- Training– I have implemented a training unit at the Sheriff’s Office. This Training Deputy’s sole focus is to make sure Deputies are getting the training they need from an outside agency or in-house training. This unit has significantly changed the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office in helping the Deputies better serve the community with knowledge of safety in mind.
- K9 Unit– I have implemented a Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit. This Unit consists of a single-purpose Drug Detection K9 on each shift and a Tracking K9 Unit consisting of two beagles and one bloodhound. This has proved to be a highly successful unit operating on each shift, finding illegal narcotics and persons who fled from Law Enforcement or missing people. It is better to have this tool at the Sheriff’s Office’s disposal to initially utilize while also working with other agencies to supplement the Sheriff’s Office when needed for search and rescue.
I have several more goals that I would like to reach to better this community. This is why it is important that I continue to be your Sheriff. I think it is imperative for a public service official to actually serve the public by action, not by reaction or by political influence. This is why I have implemented these programs since I’ve been in office. It is also why I ensure every deputy serving under me must adhere to a strict, but fair mindset to serve the citizens of Autauga County with integrity and professionalism.
I will continue to fight for what is morally and ethically right to protect all citizens and deputies, guided by the values of duty, accountability, and leadership under pressure. The Office of Sheriff is a position to be filled by someone who has the integrity and courage to stand up when they see something that isn’t right morally or ethically. I have proven I will.
As Sheriff, my commitment is simple:
-Protect the citizens of Autauga County
-Support and lead our deputies with strength and integrity
-Uphold the law and the Constitution
-Serve with honor, transparency, and respect
My campaign is about continuing steady, proven leadership and principled service.
Experience you trust. Leadership you know.
I respectfully ask for your continued support and your vote as I seek election as Sheriff of Autauga County on May 19th, 2026.
