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Past Sheriffs
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s
Office was formed in 1819. Thirty-seven men have held the
office of sheriff, the first being Levi Reid in 1819. sheriff
Mel Bailey, who served from 1962 until 1996, held the office
longer than any other Sheriff in the history of the Jefferson
County Sheriff's office. The word, "Sheriff" comes
from England, and originates from "scyre," a Saxon
word meaning "shire," defined now as county, and
the word "reeve" which means keeper.
In 1819 the state of Alabama and the Jefferson
County Sheriff's Office were created. THe county spread out
over a land of hills and forests called Jones Valley. The
mode of transportation was by horseback or mule and wagon,
and services rendered by the Sheriff were often days or weeks
in coming. In the early days the jail was a crude building
of wood or brick called the kalaboose. A prisoner in the kalaboose
did not wish to return after once sampling its unpleasant
and primitive conditions.
Small farms and a few larger plantations soon
dotted the countryside. As Jefferson County grew people clustered
together in small communities or towns. A Town Marshall or
Constable, was deputized to assist the Sheriff in the enforcement
of the laws within the county.
In 1871, the City of Birmingham was incorporated.
Prior to that time, the County Seat had been located at Elyton.
Birmingham quickly became the largest city in Jefferson County.
It was also called the "Magic City." The courthouse
was built and an office was provided for the Sheriff to conduct
his business. Years later, a second courthouse was built in
the Bessemer Cut-Off. The sheriff maintains an office in both
Bessemer and Birmingham.
The Sheriff's
Office has grown tremendously from its modes beginnings in
1819. Sheriff Levi Reid would be amazed to know that today
there are 120 civilian employees and 505 sworn personnel,
making the JeffCo SO one of the largest and most modern departments
in the state.
Under the leadership of Sheriff Mike Hale,
the department prevents drug dealers, thieves and other criminals,
from gaining a foothold in Jefferson County. Each citizen
can be proud to share in that success. Now as in the past,
success is due to dedication and hard work.
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Photo of the 1966 Jefferson
County Sheriff's Office - Birmingham Division
Sheriff Melvin Bailey (far left)
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History - The Ultimatum
1888
A Historical Account by E. Dan Jordan, Capt. Retired
The Jefferson County Sheriff's
Office is the largest and one of the most modern in Alabama.
Sheriff Mike Hale is the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of
the County. The deputies are trained to serve and protect
the public. A civilized society respects law and order, but
respect was lacking in 1888 as a huge mob, some said over
a thousand people, gathered to storm the County Jail to lynch
a murderer. Sheriff Joseph Smith weighed the pros and cons
and made his decision. He would do what was necessary to protect
his prisoner and maintain law and order
On Saturday evening December
1888, Sheriff Smith had in his jail a prisoner named Richard
R. Hawes. He was suspected of murdering his wife Emma, and
their two little daughters, May and Irene Hawes. A riotous
crowd gathered in the streets of Birmingham and planned to
lynch Hawes. They had diverted back to the days when Alabama
was a wild Alabama frontier.
Sheriff Smith issued shotguns
and rifles to his Deputies and placed them in positions where
they could protect the jail.He told them to fire into the
mob if they came across the alley towards the jail door. Suddenly,
the huge mob appeared near the alley.The sheriff ordered them
to stop. Smith counted to five. When the leaders ignored his
warning and pressed across the alley he gave the order to
fire. Bodies fell onto the street and sidewalk. Some were
dead; the wounded cried out in pain. Postmaster Maurice Throckmorton
was one of those killed. He had pleaded with the mob to disperse.
Birmingham Police Chief O.A.
Pickard, one of many who testified later about the shooting,
testified that he heard Sheriff Smith give the order to fire.
He ended his remarks by describing the mob as "madmen
numbering about a thousand."
On December 9, warrants were
issued for Sheriff Smith, Chief Pickard and Lt. Joe Nix for
the murder of Postmaster Throckmorton. Smith was arrested
repeatedly, but he was never convicted. He stayed on the job
and completed his four-year term of office.
Richard Hawes was convicted
of the murder of his wife and children and sentenced to death
by hanging. On February 28, 1890, a large audience was present
when Sheriff Smith placed a black hood over Hawes' head and
the trap was sprung.
It is said that this terrible
episode changed Birmingham from a wild frontier town to a
burgeoning law abiding city of the New South. Hanging is no
longer acceptable justice and no lynch mob has ever again
stormed the Jefferson County Jail. |
