RONNIE MAY

SHERIFF RONNIE MAY 

1999 - 2015

Sheriff May has dedicated 42 years of his life to law enforcement in Colbert County. Serving the citizens of the county and striving to make the Shoals area a safer place to live for all has been his drive during his career.

EDUCATION

•  Graduate of Bradshaw High School in Florence, Alabama in 1969
•  Graduate of the University of North Alabama in 1973. 
• Graduate of the Northeast Alabama Police Academy a Jacksonville State University in 1973.
• Graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia - 129th Session in 1982
• Completed numerous continuing education courses

LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER

• Colbert County Deputy - 1973 - 1974 (1 year)
• Chief Investigator/Investigator with the Sheriffs Office - 1974 - 1999 (25 years)
• Elected Sheriff in November of 1998 and took office on January 19, 1999. Re-elected in 2002, 2006, and 2010. Sheriff May is serving his 4th term in Office having completed 16 years as Sheriff
• Retired January 19, 2015 after serving 16 years as Sheriff and 42 years in law enforcement with the Colbert County Sheriff's Office

MAJOR INVESTIGATIONS

• Dawson Gang - 1982
• FBI Task Force on Narcotics - 1985-86
• Snow Mountain - 1985-1986
• Sennett Case -1989
• Robert Tate (Trucker Case) - 1989
• Pugh Case - 1997-98

LAW ENFORCEMENT AFFILIATIONS

• Alabama Sheriffs' Association District 1 Director (covering 10 counties) -- 2013
• Member - Alabama Sheriffs' Association Legislative Committee - 2013
• Member - Alabama Sheriffs' Association Homeland Security Committee -- 2013
• President of Shoals Area Law Enforcement Coalition (SALEC) - 2000 to present
• Assistant Director - Colbert Co. Drug Task Force
• Member -- North Alabama Domestic Terrorism Group
• Member -- U. S. Department of Justice Counter Terrorism Group
• Member -- Board of Directors for Alabama Sheriffs' Youth Ranches
• Member - Law Enforcement Planning Committee for Northwest Shoals Community College
• Member FBI National Academy Associates (129th Session)
• Member - Peace Officers' Association                                     
• Member - Fraternal Order of Police
• Past Member of Alabama Sheriffs' Association Legislative Committee
• Board of Directors - Crime Stoppers

Ronnie May - Bio
January 2015

• Past Member -- Board of Directors - Rape Response
• Regular Speaker for Life Long Learning Center - Northwest Shoals Community College
• Member of Presidential Task Force - 1979
• Deputy Sheriffs' Association of Alabama - Past Vice President for District 1 (covering 7 counties)

AWARDS

• Nominated for J. Edgar Hoover Award by VFW Post 4919 in Sheffield, AL for Outstanding Service in Law Enforcement - 2009
• "Sheriff of the Quarter" for the Alabama Sheriff's Star Magazine - 2004
• Patriot Award presented by 115 Signal Battalion for support of soldiers and their families during Operation Christmas December 2003                               
• Governor's Award for PALS (People Against Litter)
• NEA's Read Across America Certificate of Appreciation for support of Reading in Schools - 2003 to resent
• US Department of Transportation Safety Administration Certificate for Support for Click It or Ticket Campaign - 2001
• FBI Award for performance in a Joint Task Force Investigation for the Pugh Murder Case - 1998
• Shoals Optimist Club - Officer of the Year - 1992
• FBI Award for Outstanding Service in Public Interest - All Area Narcotics Team - 1987
• Florence, Alabama Jaycees Outstanding Young Law Enforcement Officer - 1980
• Alabama Jaycees - Certificate of merit as Outstanding Young Law Enforcement Officer Nominee - 1980
• Office of Lt. Governor of Alabama - honorary Member of Lt. Governor's Staff - 1980
• Law Enforcement Handgun Association -Handgun Competition Award - 1978
• WOWL-TV "Officer of the Year" for Colbert Co. Sheriff's office - 1976

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

• Supporter of Shoals Area Labor Council activities for the past 15 years
• Participant and speaker at Labor Day Activities for the past 15 years
• Supports the various labor organizations by attending meetings and banquets
• Support for Cancer Society
• Support for American Heart Association
• Support for Special Olympics
• Support for Cerebral Palsy Center (on their Telethon each year)
• Support for St. Jude Children's Hospital
• Member -- First United Methodist Church of Muscle Shoals
• Past Member - Sheffield Kiwanis Club
• Past Member - Tuscumbia Civitan Club
• Member - Shoals Democratic Club for 17 years

Sheriff May has made numerous presentations to classes, groups, and clubs over the years on many topics.

Sheriff May is married and has two married daughters, 2 granddaughters, 1 grandson, and another grandson due May 2015. He enjoys hunting and spending time with his family.