Sheriff Christopher West
Since taking command of the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Christopher (Chris) West dynamic and progressive leadership is transforming LCSO into one of the most accountable, progressive and respected public safety agencies in Alabama. As Lowndes County’s 5th African-American sheriff to serve in this capacity, Sheriff West brings a wealth of experience, unique skillset and passion for public safety to LCSO. Guided by his belief that service equals reward, Sheriff West has led efforts to revamp LCSO and restore trust in the agency by implementing a host of initiatives focused on bolstering training, building stronger community relationships, providing youth with expanded opportunities for success and ensuring employees are held to the highest standards of professionalism and accountability. Growing up in Elba, AL, Sheriff West learned from an early age the determination and selflessness that is needed to be an effective police officer. He experienced firsthand the prejudices that exist between minority youth and law enforcement and the difference that must be made in order to change the negative perceptions. Sheriff West served in the United States Marine Corps Camp Lejeune, North Carolina from 1986-1991as an Ammunition Technician. Duties included the warehousing, maintenance, packaging, and shipping of class (v) ammunitions to using units. Tours of duty included Parris Island, South Carolina; Redstone Arsenal Huntsville, Alabama: Okinawa, Japan; Po Hang, South Korea; and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Military accomplishments include: Meritorious Mast from the Commanding Officer of “Team Spirit 1987” Po Hang, South Korea; Certificate of Good Conduct; Navy Unit Commendation; National Defense; Sea Service Deployment; Armed Service; Meritorious Mast from the Commanding Officer 3rd Force Service Support Group Okinawa, Japan; and an Honorable Discharge. Sheriff West is a 2010 Graduate of Herzing University Birmingham, AL with a Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security/Public Safety. Sheriff West began his law enforcement career in 1991 with the Covington County Sheriff’s Office where he served as a corrections officer. He also worked as a Police Officer in Samson and Elba, AL before pursuing a position as Drug Agent with Marshall County Drug Enforcement Unit Guntersville, Alabama. From 1997-2009 Sheriff West served as Drug Task Force Commander/Drug Agent for Butler, Crenshaw and Lowndes County. This work included narcotics investigation, street intelligence and field force management. Sheriff West worked as Deputy Chief in Grove Hill, AL for one year; however, his work as always led him back to Lowndes County. Prior to becoming sheriff, he returned in 2012 as a Narcotics Investigator and later Police Chief of Fort Deposit, AL. He retired as Lowndes County’s Deputy Chief in 2018. Sheriff West was appointed Sheriff of Lowndes County in December of 2019 after the murder of his predecessor Sheriff John “Big John” Williams. As sheriff, he has used his experiences as a launching pad to implement forward-thinking policies to better connect with the communities he serves. Since he assumed leadership, Sheriff West has been unafraid to tackle controversial matters that can, at times, put him at odds with other law enforcement officials and politicians. Doing what is right, not what is convenient, is his driving force. His priorities include: • Accountability: Sheriff West is always working to build public trust by bringing accountability and transparency to the agency and to the community. All LCSO deputies are held accountable for their actions and know that egregious use of force will never be tolerated. He has accomplished this by requiring all members to adhere Professional Standards. • Community Policing: Sheriff West has instilled into the agency his core belief of community policing • Diversity: “To better serve our communities, we must reflect our citizens.” Sheriff West has diversified the agency to reflect the face of Lowndes County. • Training and Preparedness: LCSO’s training division and course curriculums reflect today’s public safety priorities. • Sheriff West has a plethora of experiences, licensures, and certifications to include the following: Criminology, Criminalistics, Juvenile Delinquency, Emergency Management, Criminal Behavior, Criminal Psychology, Physical Protection Systems, Fire Prevention, Intelligence Principles, Counter Drug Intelligence and Drug Investigations, Critical Incident Stress Management, Homeland Security, and Terrorist Threat Assessment. Certifications include Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Certification; FBI National Academy Graduate Session 230; Homeland Security Leadership Academy 10th Session. Sheriff West serves on various boards, committees, and organizations to include the following: • Alabama Sheriff’s Association • FBI National Academy Associates • Fort Deposit Economic Development Board • Fort Deposit Planning Commission • Lowndes County E-911 Board • Lowndes County Board of Education Head Start • National Sheriff’s Association • Small and Rural Law Enforcement Executives Association Sheriff West is happily married to his wife, Kim, and they reside in Lowndes County. He continues to bring the same tireless work ethic that has been characteristic of his career to ensure LCSO remains one of the finest public safety agencies in Alabama.