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There are many things to be proud of in Escambia County and the Alabama Sheriff’s Association has provided one more.
Escambia County Sheriff Heath Jackson was recently named Alabama’s Sheriff of the Year.
The honor was bestowed on Jackson during the organization’s winter meeting held in Hoover recently.
Jackson received the award presented by Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza, who serves as the president of the Association.
The award is named after Robert “Bobby” Timmons who served the Association as Executive Director for 37 years.
Sheriff Jackson was nominated for his heroic actions that occurred in 2023 when Sheriff Jackson rescued 4 people that had become stranded on Burnt Corn Creek in rising flood waters. The children were found clinging to tree limbs when Sheriff Jackson rescued them with the aid of a jet ski.
In his nomination letter, Sheriff Jackson was also recognized for his leadership and service as the Escambia County Sheriff.
A graduate of T.R Miller High School, he was elected to his first term as Sheriff in 2018 and reelected in 2022. Sheriff Jackson previously served with the Brewton, Alabama Police Department, and the Escambia County Florida Sheriff’s Office. He is a graduate of the National Sheriffs’ Institute and the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy and a FBI-LEDDA Trilogy Award winner. In 2024, Sheriff Jackson was awarded the Medal of Valor Award by the National Sheriffs’ Association. He is a member of the Brewton Rotary Club where he serves as Past President. Sheriff Jackson also currently serves as the 2nd Vice President of the Sheriffs Association.
Sheriff (Ret.) Huey Hoss Mack, Executive Director of the Sheriffs Association stated, “Sheriff Jackson not only serves his county, but is always eager to assist other Alabama Sheriffs when called upon.”