Jefferson County residents deserve to know that when a law enforcement officer is the subject of repeated domestic violence calls, those calls are reviewed independently — not by the officer’s own department.
Public reports describe a pattern of domestic violence calls to a household connected to a current Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputy, spanning many years, including recent reports of escalating violence — among them allegations of battery and strangulation — with no apparent disciplinary or legal consequence to date.
We are not in a position to confirm every detail of this specific case. But it raises questions every constituent has a right to ask:

• What independent process exists to review domestic violence complaints involving sworn officers in Jefferson County?
• What is the policy for reviewing an officer’s access to a duty or personal firearm when they are the subject of a serious domestic violence allegation, particularly one involving strangulation — a recognized indicator of escalating, potentially lethal violence?

We’re asking Sheriff Mark Pettway, District Attorneys Danny Carr and Lynneice Washington, and Attorney General Steve Marshall to:

1. Confirm whether an independent review process exists for domestic violence complaints involving Sheriff’s Office personnel, and describe it publicly.
2. Refer any pending matters of this kind to an outside agency, such as the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation, to remove any conflict of interest.
3. Clarify the office’s policy for reviewing an officer’s firearm access when facing a credible domestic violence allegation involving battery, strangulation or serious injury.
4. Commit publicly to holding officers to the same standard as any other person accused of domestic violence — no exceptions.

Victims of domestic violence should never have to wonder whether their abuser’s badge — or his service weapon — will protect him. Sign to demand transparency and independent accountability in Jefferson County.

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