COMMAND STAFF
CAPTAINS
Chief Deputy Willie Hill began his law enforcement career with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in March 1974. He has served in and commanded every division of the Sheriff’s Office prior to becoming Chief Deputy.
Chief Hill was appointed to the Second in Command of the Sheriff’s Office by Sheriff Pettway when he took office in January 2019.
He had a passion for training early in his career. He took classes and developed the skills necessary to teach all aspects of law enforcement, such as driving, self-defense, firearms, and numerous other classes. Chief Hill is a certified gun smith and armorer on most makes of firearms, handguns, shotguns and rifles. He worked his way through the ranks to Captain in 2000 where he served as the Academy Director for both the full time and reserve academy.
He was part of the team that built the Academy Complex from the very beginning in 1985 under the command of then Sheriff Mel Bailey. Many of the original structures were built by deputy personnel, county plumbers and electricians.
Chief Hill has designed and overseen the buildings of most of the current training facility, both before and since the Sheriff took office in 2019. These things have been accomplished by the vision Sheriff Pettway has and as he says, “His best asset is a well-trained deputy”.
Because of this vision Chief Hill has over seen the construction of a new simulator building, relocation of the pavilion, the addition of an 8,000 square foot state of the art multi-classroom building. The vision will grow even more when the Sheriff’s Office breaks- ground on the 60 person barracks in December 2023.
He has a builder’s license which has helped him design and plan more buildings for the future of the Sheriff’s Office.
Chief Hill has the distinction of being on the first 5-man Sheriff’s Office S.W.A.T. team. He was also a member the first Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue/Recovery Dive Team. He has the distinction of Commanding the Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard when they took 1st and 2nd place trophies in the 2000 Southeastern Police and Fire Championship Games.
Chief Hill has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Columbia Southern University where he graduated Cum Laude. He is a graduate of the F.B.I. Academy, Quantico, Virginia.
He honorably served our country in the United States Marine Corp before beginning his career in law enforcement. He is married with two children, 4 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. He is a member of Enon Baptist Church.
Chief Hill joins Sheriff Mark Pettway in his goals for a better Sheriff’s Office and better trained personnel to provide safer communities for the citizens in Jefferson County.
Assistant Sheriff Anthony Pippen joined the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in 1980 as a Deputy. He has worked in the Corrections, Patrol, and Vice & Narcotics Divisions. In 1994, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and worked the Corrections Division, including commanding the First Emergency Response Team. Sgt. Pippen transferred to the Patrol Division where he supervised SWAT. He later supervised the Corrections and Civil Divisions, FBI Drug Task Force, and commanded the first Mobile Field Force. In 2002, Lt. Pippen was promoted to the rank of Captain assigned as the Bessemer Enforcement Division Commander, which included the Patrol, Criminal, and Court Services Bureaus. Captain Pippen established the first “Cold Case” unit at the JCSO. He later commanded the School Resource Division where he spearheaded the increase of the operational force from 26 to 62 Deputies throughout Jefferson County and other local school systems. In 2019, Captain Pippen was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief. Deputy Chief Pippen is the Division Commander for Bessemer and Birmingham Patrol Operations. Deputy Chief Pippen is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. He also completed the Personnel Board of Jefferson County 360 Degree in Leadership and Professional Development. This program consists of 45 classes concentrated in four core areas: Leading People, Leading Processes, Professional Development, and Technical Development. He was appointed to the position of Assistant Sheriff, over the Bessemer District in April of 2023. Assistant Sheriff Pippen is the recipient of the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award.
Deputy Chief David H. Agee is a lifelong resident of Jefferson County. Deputy Chief Agee graduated from Ensley High School in 1981 and Alabama State University in 1985. Deputy Chief Agee began his law enforcement career in 1986 with the Alabama department of Corrections and began working for the Birmingham Police department in 1988. Deputy Chief Agee entered the Sheriff’s Academy in 1993 where he served as class president and future Sheriff Mark Pettway served as class chaplain. As a young deputy he served on the Sheriff’s Honor Guard and was a member of the first Emergency Response Team. In 1996 there was an inmate revolt on the floors of the Birmingham jail that housed violent inmates. David Agee served as team leader of the ERT unit that restored order to those floors. In 2001 Deputy Agee started a motivational program for troubled youth by collaborating with American Honda. The program called NYPUM (National Youth Program Using Mini Bikes) ran for 21 years and ended during the pandemic. Deputy Chief Agee has been a Patrol Deputy, School Resource Officer, Homicide Detective and Jail Commander. He currently serves as Public Information Officer and Commands the Criminal and School Resource Divisions.
Commander Philip Green is a 1992 graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He began his career at the Sheriff’s Office in 1988 serving as a Jail Deputy, Patrol Deputy, Evidence Technician, Jail Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, Property Crimes Lieutenant, Narcotics Lieutenant, Jail Captain, Patrol Division Captain, Criminal Division Captain and he currently serves as the Technology Division Commander. Commander Green also oversees the Metro Area Crime Center.
Deputy Mayes joined the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office on February 23, 1976. He was assigned to the Patrol Division in Center Point. While assigned to the Patrol Division Deputy Mayes served on the SWAT Team from 1977 to 1980. The majority of his career has been with Patrol. Deputy Mayes served in the Birmingham Warrant Detail from 1996 to 1997. He returned to Birmingham Patrol Division and was assigned to Center Point Patrol. In January 2000 Deputy Mayes was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and was assigned to Center Point Night Shift. In June of 2000 Sergeant Mayes was assigned an additional Duty as FTEP Sergeant. In 2008 Sergeant Mayes was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, and was assigned to the East Division. He served in that position from 2008 to 2019 when he was promoted to the rank of Captain and was assigned as the Birmingham Patrol Division Commander. Captain Mayes served in that capacity until March 2023 when he was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief, where he is currently assigned to Birmingham and Bessemer Patrol Divisions. Deputy Chief Mayes holds an associate degree in criminal justice from Jefferson State Community College and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Samford University. Deputy Chief Mayes has been happily married to his wife Mary, for 51 years. They have 2 grown children.
Deputy Chief NaShonda G. Howard has twenty-nine years of Law Enforcement experience. Deputy Chief Howard earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, and a Juris Doctor Degree from Miles College School of Law, Fairfield, Alabama in May 2009.
Deputy Chief Howard joined the Birmingham Police Department on November 28, 1994. After graduating from the Police Academy, she was assigned to the West Precinct as a Patrol Officer and in 1996, reassigned as a Detective in the White-Collar Crime Unit. She was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in June 2002 and assigned to South and West Precincts respectively. In July 2009, she was assigned to the Internal Affairs Division as an investigator.
Deputy Chief Howard was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in July 2011 and served as commander of the 911 Call Center. She developed and implemented the Communication Training Officer (CTO) program and certifications for Public Safety Dispatchers I and II's to establish best practices in accordance with the Association of Public Safety Communication Officials and the National Emergency Numbers Association standards. In August 2012, she spearheaded the renovations of the 911 Call Center and implemented new technology along with the city’s Information Management Systems staff. In August 2013, at the rank of Lieutenant, she was assigned and served as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Support Services. In October 2013, she completed the Southeastern Law Enforcement Executive Development (SLEDS) training in Florence, Alabama. As a Lieutenant, she served as the Interim Chief Jail Administrator of the Birmingham Detention Division from May 2015 through June 2016.
On October 3, 2015, Deputy Chief Howard was promoted to the rank of Captain and continued to serve as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Support Services until October 2017 and then assigned as commander of Crimes Against Property comprised of Burglary, Auto Theft and Major Fraud. In November 2017, Deputy Chief Howard commanded the Internal Affairs Division and finally, the Special Victims Unit in September 2019.
Deputy Chief Howard is an FBI – LEEDA (Law Enforcement Executive Development Association) Trilogy Award recipient and collaborated with FBI- LEEDA staff and organized the 2018 FBI - LEEDA Conference in the City of Birmingham. She worked with the National Network for Safe Communities (NNSC) on behalf of the Birmingham Police Department as part of the National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice.
On September 14, 2019, Deputy Chief Howard joined the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and commanded the Internal Affairs and Academy and Training Divisions. She is a Certified Affirmative Action Professional (CAAP) and serves as the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
On April 30, 2023, Deputy Chief Howard was promoted by Sheriff Mark L. Pettway and commands the Academy and Training Division, Court Services Division, Internal Affairs Division and the Support Services Division. On July 4, 2023, Deputy Chief Howard completed the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement (CALEA) Accreditation Manager certification and works on the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Accreditation Team.
Deputy Chief Howard is married to Reginald W. Howard.
Deputy Chief John F. Weatherly Jr. began his law enforcement career with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office in May 1989. Deputy Chief Weatherly is a graduate from G.W. Carver High School, Birmingham. He studied Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Music at Florida A&M University. Deputy Chief Weatherly is a graduate of the Birmingham Police Academy. He has over 34 years of experience working in a variety of divisions. As a Deputy he worked in the Corrections Division, Patrol Division, Vice and Narcotics, and the Criminal Division. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2008, Lieutenant in 2016, Captain in 2019, and Deputy Chief in 2023. He is a member of the National Sheriff's Office Association - NSA, and a member of the Fraternal Order of Police - FOP. Deputy Chief Weatherly is a lifelong resident of Jefferson County, who has worked in both the Birmingham and Bessemer Division of the Sheriff's Office. He is the Deputy Chief over both, the Birmingham and Bessemer Corrections Division.
Director Black has been Director of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Training Center since February 2019. She has been involved in training numerous law enforcement personnel around Alabama and out-of-state through her career.
She started her career in Tuscaloosa and moved to The University of Alabama Law Enforcement Academy where she was involved with Advanced, Basic and In-Service Training classes. She was Deputy Director of Training when she moved from The UofA Law Enforcement Academy to the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC) in Montgomery. While at APOSTC, she was Interim Director of the Northeast Alabama Police Academy (NEAPA). After retiring from APOSTC, she was Academic Coordinator/Deputy Director for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Academy and worked with Jefferson State Junior College and Columbia University to start a degree program for law enforcement officers. She also assisted in starting the first full-time training class at the JCSO Academy.
She was the Chair of the Committee that developed the Legal Issues exam for the State as well as numerous other committees. She has Instructor Certification in numerous law enforcement training. She has completed the CIT Instructor Training and CIT Coordinator Certification through CIT International for the Sheriff's Office.
Director Black has degrees in Business Administration with a minor in Psychology, a MS Degree in Criminal Justice and Ph.D. in Adult Education. Director Black has a son and two grandsons. She is a member of HOPE Church in Gardendale, Al.
Captain Andrea Knight was hired on August 6, 1991. She has 32 years of Professional education, training, and experience. As a Deputy she served in Bessemer Corrections Division, Bessemer Patrol Division, and Vice and Narcotics. She was promoted to Sergeant in 2008, she served as a shift Sergeant in Birmingham Corrections, Birmingham Criminal Division as both a Crimes against Persons and Property Detective.
In 2013 She was promoted to Lieutenant, she served as shift Commander in the Birmingham Corrections division and Bessemer Enforcement, opening the McCalla Substation.
In 2019 she was promoted to Captain, she served as the Bessemer Division Commander for Patrol, DIVE/Rescue Team, and Reserve Auxiliary unit. Captain Knight currently serves as the Division Commander of the Birmingham Criminal Division which includes personnel with Crimes Against Persons and Property, Vice and Narcotics, Sex Offender, Federal Task Force, Evidence, and Victim Advocates.
Captain Knight’s education and training includes but is not limited to, a Bachelors in English and French from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Associates in Applied Science in Criminal Justice from Jefferson State University, Alabama Peace Officer Certification, Field Training Officer, SWAT school, Homicide school, Undercover school, DEA Narcotics training, CLAW Hazmat Certified, and Interview and Interrogation school. She is the first and only female Deputy Sheriff to attend and graduate from the FBI National Academy (Session 275). In 2023 Captain Knight completed the Jefferson County Personnel Board 360 professional leadership development courses and the Civil Servant Leadership capstone. Captain Knight was the 2023 recipient of the Community First - Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award. She resides and serves in the Community of Jefferson County.
Captain James Guntharp began his law enforcement career with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office in 1989. He has worked in various assignments (SWAT, FTO, K-9, Dive Team and START) and all the substations and shifts. He has worked as a patrol supervisor in Forestdale, Center Point and Cahaba Heights. Captain Guntharp has supervised several divisions throughout the Sheriff's Office from Corrections, School Resources and is currently the Bessemer Patrol Captain. He is a long-time competitive shooter and has competed around the country, winning numerous awards.
Captain Cory Hardiman joined the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in November 2019, and is presently the commander of the School Resource Division. Captain Hardiman has over 27 years of prior Law Enforcement experience with the Birmingham Police Department. Capt. Hardiman has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. After joining the Birmingham Police Department in April 1992, Captain Hardiman served as a patrol officer, Burglary investigator and Homicide investigator. After being promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2002, he supervised both the White-Collar Crime and Homicide Units. In 2008, Capt. Hardiman was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. During that time, he commanded both the Evidence Collection and Robbery Units. In 2013 Captain Hardiman was promoted to the rank of Captain and served as the commander of the South Precinct, commander of the West Precinct, Assistant Bureau Commander for the Patrol Division, and commander of the Crimes Against Persons Division. Captain Hardiman retired from the Birmingham Police Department in November 2019.
Captain Anthony J. Dotson is a twenty-two-and-a-half-year veteran with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. He previously worked in the Birmingham Criminal Division and is currently the Commander (Captain) for the Bessemer Criminal and Civil Divisions.
Captain Dotson is a graduate of Miles College, with a Social Science Degree in Political Science. He has received three letters of Commendation for outstanding performance in the line of duty. Before becoming a Captain with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Captain Dotson worked as a Lieutenant in the Birmingham Criminal Division, overseeing Youth Services, Sex Offenders, Vice and Narcotics, and the Victim’s Assistance Units of both sworn and non-sworn personnel. He recently spearheaded a campaign to obtain a task force to better serve the citizens in the Fairfield and Bessemer areas, against the continuous spree of violent crime.
Captain Dotson has been a Licensed Polygraph Examiner for over 15 years, serving as Vice President for the State of Alabama. He is a Crisis Intervention Team Member, graduate of the FBI Trilogy Course, and recently completed the CALEA online course as an Accreditation Manager. He has been selected to be a candidate of the FBI National Academy, Session 288, Class of 2023.
Captain Dotson belongs to several professional and social organizations. He is a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement (NOBLE), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Sparks (Civil Servant Leadership), Masonic Member (Seven Wise Men Lodge #1), and has been a Life Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc for over 24 years.
Captain Dotson emphasizes the importance of bringing his past experience as a veteran in the United States Navy and as a Detective for the Sheriff’s Office, to those who are under his command. These two accolades speak to his understanding of the challenges faced by detectives, deputies and non-sworn personnel. Along with his experience, he believes that effective police work is having the information, training and resources to ensure that we are bridging the gap between law enforcement and the community, so that justice can be best served.
Captain Russell (Rusty) Starnes is a graduate of Pinson Valley High School. He started with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office as a Reserve Deputy in 1995 and began a full-time career in 1997 working in Corrections. Captain Starnes started working in patrol division in 2002. He has been a member of the Crisis Negotiation Team, Bomb Squad, and the Field Training Officer Program. In 2011 he was assigned to be the Bomb Squad Commander. Captain Starnes was promoted to Sergeant in 2008 and has been a shift patrol Sergeant and Substation Lieutenant in the East Patrol Division. He is now the Birmingham Patrol Operations Captain. Captain Starnes has graduated from the Jefferson County Personnel Board’s 360 Degree in Leadership and Professional Development Program, and the Leadership Center Point course. He is also a recipient of the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association Trilogy Award. Captain Starnes holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration and an associate degree in business management from Columbia Southern University where he graduated Cum Laude.
Captain James Perry joined the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office on March 29, 1993. During his career, Captain Perry has worked in the Jefferson County Jail in Birmingham, Birmingham Enforcement, the School Resource Division, and the Sex Offender Unit. Captain Perry has supervised employees in the Jefferson County Jail in Birmingham, Bessemer Enforcement, School Resource Division, Birmingham Criminal Division, and Internal Affairs. While in the Birmingham Criminal Division, Captain J. Perry worked as a Sex Offender Detective, Crimes Against Property Detective, and Crimes Against Persons Detective, where he was instrumental in the arrest and conviction of many criminal offenders.
Aside from his career in law enforcement, Captain J. Perry is a faithful Assistant Pastor to a local church in the metro Birmingham area. The Assistant Pastor position enables Captain J. Perry to fulfill his Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Chaplain's role. The experience that Captain J. Perry has gained in law enforcement and ministry has helped him lead and handle all situations professionally and Christ-like.
Captain Terry Guinn is a dedicated professional law enforcement officer with over 30 years of law enforcement service. He began his law enforcement career in 1984 with the Texas Department of Corrections. In August of 1988, Captain Guinn relocated to Alabama and worked for The Alabama Department of Corrections. In 1989 he was hired on by the Birmingham Police Department. In July of 1997, he transferred from the Birmingham Police Department to the Jefferson County Sheriff Office, where he worked as a deputy in the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Birmingham Corrections Division, Bessemer Patrol Division, School Resources Division and Bessemer Youth Services Division. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2015 and was assigned to the Birmingham Corrections Division and later to the Bessemer Criminal Division. After being promoted to Lieutenant in 2020 he was assigned to Bessemer Corrections Division, where he remained once he was promoted to the rank of Captain on January 9, 2023. On May 27, 2023, Captain Guinn was reassigned as the commander of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Birmingham Corrections Division.
Captain Kerry Morgan was hired on February 14, 1994. He has 29 years of professional education, training and experience. As a Deputy Sheriff, he worked in the Birmingham Corrections Division and served on the Emergency Response Team until 1998. For the next 25 years, he served in the Birmingham Patrol Division as a Deputy, Sergeant and Lieutenant. During that time, he was a member of the K-9 Unit, Bomb Squad and was a Field Training Officer. Captain Morgan is currently the Commander of the Birmingham Court Services Division.
Captain Morgan graduated from W. A. Berry High School, Jacksonville State University and The University of Alabama Law Enforcement Academy. While serving with the Sheriff’s Office, he has received extensive training in explosives, explosive detection canine, homeland security, emergency management and recently completed the FBI LEEDA Trilogy. Captain Morgan is married to Megan Morgan, has 3 children and resides in the Oak Grove community of Jefferson County.
Captain Philip O. Hill is presently assigned to the Bessemer Corrections Division as the Commander. With twenty-nine plus years of professional education, training, and experience as a sheriff deputy, he has worked in various divisions throughout the Sheriff's Office, including both Birmingham and Bessemer Cut-Off Districts. During his tenure with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, he has served as a supervisor in various positions. As a Deputy, he was assigned to the Corrections Division, K9 Unit, and Enforcement Division. As a sergeant, Captain Hill worked in the Corrections Division, Enforcement Division and Criminal Division (Property Crime). As a Lieutenant, he worked in the Bessemer Enforcement Division.
Captain Hill pursued and satisfied all the requirements necessary to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s School of Arts and Science previously known as the School of Social and Behavioral Science. His major was in the area of Criminal Justice (Justice Science) with a concentration in Policing. His minor focuses on Sociology. In May of 2016, Captain Hill went on to satisfy and complete all requirements to earn my Juris Doctorate of Law from Miles Law School. In order to assist the Sheriff in maintaining and producing his greatest assets, a well-trained Deputy, Captain Hill is an Adjunct Instructor at our Training Center. Captain Hill has played an instrumental role in training our Deputies in the area of Crisis Intervention. His leadership for the Sheriff's Office Civil Disturbance Team has afforded him the opportunity to instruct the Basic Recruit Classes in the area of Civil Unrest. Captain Hill possesses the certification to assist the Training Center in the area of firearms training (pistol, shotgun, and patrol rifle) with our Deputies. He also assists with the Citizen’s Firearm Academy, by training our citizens in the safe handling and the use of a firearm.
As the Bessemer Patrol Lieutenant, Captain Hill was instrumental in assisting to create, outfit, and develop an official Jefferson County Sheriff Office Dive/Rescue Team comprised of Full Time and Reserve Deputies.
Captain Charles Jaeger joined the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office in 1990. With over thirty-three years of law enforcement experience, his career has been marked by exceptional dedication to serving the citizens of Jefferson County, Alabama. In his career he served as a Deputy in the Corrections and Patrol Divisions before becoming a founding member of the School Resource Division, utilizing innovative technology like IBM's Star Force computerized car.
Later, in 2003, he was promoted to Sergeant and became involved in enhancing automation and training for all personnel. His extensive experience includes collaboration with the Air Support Unit, Records Bureau, Identification Bureau, Fleet management, IT User Support, and the technology utilized at the Metro Area Crime Center. With a talent for identifying mission-critical needs and crafting effective action plans, he gains trust by delivering exemplary follow-up support, resolving technology-related issues.
Beyond his law enforcement endeavors, Charles finds strength and guidance through his faith, actively participating in his local church congregation. His faith significantly shapes his life, instilling in him the values of compassion, integrity, and service to others. This deeply rooted belief system influences his approach to his role as a law enforcement professional, contributing to his exemplary track record in implementing new technologies and innovations to better serve the community. With a passion for enhancing the technology needs of the largest sheriff's office in Alabama, Captain Jaeger continues to lead by example, inspiring trust and fostering effective resolutions to technology-related issues and advancing the technology needs of the Jefferson County sheriff's office.
