DEPUTY CHIEF
ANTHONY PIPPEN
DEPUTY CHIEF
CHARLES BUCHANNON
DEPUTY CHIEF
MARK FARLEY
COMMANDER
PHILLIP GREEN
DEPUTY CHIEF
FELICIA RUCKER- SUMERLIN
CAPTAIN
ANDREA KNIGHT
Chief Deputy Willie Hill is married, has two children, four grandchildren and is a member of Enon Baptist Church. He has the distinction of being on the first S.W.A.T. team formed by the Sheriff’s Office. He was also a member of the first search and Recovery Dive team. Early in his career he had a passion for training for academies and was instrumental in starting the Sheriff’s Office Academy. Chief Hill is a Certified Gun Smith and Armorer on most makes of firearms from handguns and rifles. For ten years he was a Captain and commanded every division within the Sheriff’s Office. Chief Hill has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Columbia Southern where he graduated Cum LAUDE. He is a graduate of the F.B.I. Academy, Quantico, Virginia. Chief Hill honorably served our country in the United States Marine Corp before beginning his career in law enforcement. Chief Hill joins Sheriff Mark Pettway in his goals of a better Sheriff’s Office to have better safety for the citizens and communities in Jefferson County.
Major Cleveland Moore joined the Jefferson County Sherriff’s Office in January 1981 as a Deputy. He worked in Corrections, Patrol, and became a part of several specialized details which included FBI Task Force, Civil Disturbance Detail, Field Training Officer, and Honor Guard. In 1994, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and was assigned to the Criminal Division where he was a Detective in Crimes against Property and Crime Stoppers, and in 1996 he became the Sex Offender Unit Coordinator in the Criminal Division. In 2005, Sgt. Moore was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. In 2008, he first became the Division Commander of the School Resource Division and Division Commander of Bessemer Enforcement which includes Patrol, Civil Court Services, Criminal, and Warrants. Then was charged with running the operations of the Correction Division both Birmingham and Bessemer. In March of 2016, Captain Moore was promoted to Deputy Chief of the Corrections Division Birmingham and Bessemer and was Deputy Chief over Warrant Detail, Sex Offender Unit, Court Services, Food Service, Medical, and Mental Health Staff. Major Cleveland Moore graduated in 1975 from The Ohio State University and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, in 2008 he received an Associate Degree from Bevell State Community College in Supervision and Leadership. Major Cleveland Moore has now made history as the first African-American to be appointed as Assistant Sheriff of Jefferson County Bessemer Cut Off. He was appointed by Sheriff Mark Pettway.
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 joined the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in 1993 and has served for 26 years. As a young deputy, he served on the Honor Guard and Emergency Response Team. In 2001, Deputy Agee started a motivational program for troubled youth by collaborating with the National Youth Program Using Mini Bikes (NYPUM). The NYPUM program is still being used today. Deputy Chief David Agee has been a Patrol Deputy, School Resource Officer, Homicide Detective and Jail Commander. Deputy Chief Agee currently serves as Public Information Officer for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputy Chief Anthony Pippen joined the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in 1980 as a Deputy. He worked in the Corrections, Patrol, and Vice & Narcotics Division. In 1994, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and worked the Corrections Division, including commanded 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 Div. 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. 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.
Deputy Chief Charles J. Buchannon is a Vietnam Era Veteran who began his service in the Sheriff’s Office on September 28, 1980. During his career he has been certified as a Crime Prevention Specialist as well as a Law Enforcement Assessment Specialist. He is considered an expert in the Investigation and Identification of Youth Gangs, as well as an expert in the Investigation and Exploitation of Child Victims. He is a past member of the Jefferson County, Bessemer Division Death Investigation Team, he is a past member of the Mobile Field Force and Honor Guard Executive Officer and Commander. Deputy Chief Buchannon has supervised every division in the Sheriff’s Office and currently oversees Internal Affairs and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Academy, Civil Division, Chaplain Program, and Training Center. Deputy Chief Buchannon is a CAAP (Certified Affirmative Action Professional) and is the Sheriff’s Office Equity and Inclusion Officer (AAO) having received his certification from Temple University in Pennsylvania.
Deputy Chief Mark Farley began his law enforcement career in 1976 with the City of Lipscomb. In 1978 he transferred to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. He has commanded Narcotics, Patrol, and Criminal Divisions within the Sheriff’s Office during his years of service. He is presently over Birmingham and Bessemer Criminal Division and School Resource Division. He is a 1977 graduate of the University of Alabama Law Enforcement Academy, Graduate of DEA Narcotic’s School, and Graduate of the Grid Leadership School. Deputy Chief Mark Farley holds an A.S. Degree in Criminal Justice from Jefferson State.
Commander Phillip 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, Property Crimes Lieutenant, Narcotics Lieutenant, Jail Captain, Patrol Division Captain and he currently serves as the Technology Division Commander. Commander Green also oversees the Metro Area Crime Center.
Deputy Chief Felicia Rucker-Sumerlin is a mother of two who joined the Sheriff’s Office in 1990. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Columbia Southern University. She served in the Corrections Division, Patrol Division, Vice and Narcotics, and School Resources. She was promoted sergeant in 2004 supervising corrections division, patrol division, identity theft division, and a Detective in Criminal Division. In 2008, she was promoted to Lieutenant supervising Corrections and Patrol Division. In 2016, she was promoted Captain supervising Corrections Division. Deputy Chief Rucker was then placed in charge of supervising the School Resource Division. She is currently supervising both Bessemer and Birmingham Corrections Division. In 2016, she was named Woman of the Year, by the NAACP after being the first African American female to attain a rank of Captain in the history of Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. In January 2020, she became the first female Deputy Chief in the 200-year history of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Chief Rucker- Sumerlin is a lifelong resident of Jefferson County who has worked in both the Bessemer and Birmingham Division of the Sheriffs’ Office.
Captain Andrea Knight was hired in August 6, 1991. She has 28 years of professional education, training, and experience. As a Deputy she served in Correctional Procedures and Operations, Basic Patrol- Criminal Enforcement, and Complex Investigations as an Investigator. As a Sergeant, she served as a shift sergeant in the Birmingham County Jail, Criminal Division as a crime against Property Detective and a Crime against Persons Detective. As a lieutenant, she served as a shift supervisor in the Birmingham County Jail and Patrol Lieutenant for the Bessemer cut- off. Captain Knight currently serves as the Patrol Division Commander for the Bessemer Cut-off. Captain Knight’s education and training include, but are not limited to a B.A. in English and French from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, A.A.S in Criminal Justice from Jefferson State University, Field Training Officer, SWAT school, Homicide School, Undercover School, and DEA Narcotics training and the first female Deputy Sheriff to attend and graduate from the FBI National Academy (Session 275).
Captain George Ponder is a college graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Criminal Justice program. Captain Ponder began his law enforcement career in 1987 as a Bailiff at the Jefferson County Family Court. In 1989, he joined the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Along with commanding the Court Services Division, Captain Ponder is also an APOST training instructor, teaching at the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Academy and other venues across the state. He specializes in civil practice and election law. Away from work, he spends his time with his family. Trying his luck around the golf course and spending time behind the camera photographing wildlife.
Captain John “Pop” Mayes joined the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office on February 23, 1976. He began his service as a patrol Deputy at the same location and division that he presently serves as Captain. While with the Patrol Division, Deputy Mayes was assigned to SWAT Team from 1977 to 1980. The majority of his career with the Sheriff’s Office has been with Patrol at the Center Point substation. From 1996 to 1977, Deputy Mayes was assigned to Birmingham Warrant Detail. After which, he returned to CenterPoint Patrol where he has remained. In January 2000, Deputy Mayes was promoted to the rank of Sergeant assigned to CenterPoint Night Shift. In June of 2000, Sergeant Mayes, in addition to patrol duties, was assigned to supervise the FTEP Program. In 2008, Sergeant Mayes was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and was assigned to the East Division. In September 2019, Lieutenant Mayes was promoted to the rank of Captain. Captain John Mayes is the Birmingham Patrol Division Commander. Captain Mayes holds an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from the Jefferson State Community College and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Samford University. Captain John Mayes has been happily married for 47 years to Mary Mayes.
Captain John F. Weatherly Jr. began his law enforcement career with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in 1989. Captain Weatherly is a graduate from G.W. Carver High School. He studied Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Music at Florida A&M University. He is a graduate of the Birmingham Police Academy. He has over 30 years of experience working in a variety of divisions. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2008, Lieutenant in 2016, and Captain in 2019. He is a member of the National Sheriff’s Office Association-NSA, Narcotics Officers Association-ANOA, and a member of the Fraternal Order of Police – FOP. Captain Weatherly presently commands the Bessemer Criminal Division and Youth Services Division where he is responsible for Criminal investigations, and detectives. He is also in command of the Bessemer Court Services Division where he is responsible for the services of civil processes, the service of arrest warrants, and the service of criminal and civil subpoenas, and execution of orders from the courts. He commands the Administrative Staff for the Bessemer Cut- Off Division. These individuals handle clerical and secretarial needs of the Bessemer Sheriff’s Office.
Captain Wendell W. Major is a native of Jefferson County who enlisted and served as a Unites States Marine Corps Sergeant after graduation from Fairfield High School. Captain Major began his Law Enforcement Career with GA Dept. of Corrections, then with UAB Police Department. Captain Major has served with Fairfield Police Department, as a Captain in the Technology, Corrections, Patrol, and vice and Narcotics Divisions; as a Sergeant in the Patrol Divisions; and as a Captain in the Technology, Corrections and School Resource Divisions. Captain Major has served as a Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) instructor. Captain Major is an Alabama License Polygraph Examiner, a member of the Alabama State BAR, a certified School Resource Officer/ Supervisor. Captain Major earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from UAB, A Jurist Doctorate from Birmingham School of Law and teaches Criminal Justice and Paralegal Studies. Captain Major is a graduate of the 262nd Session of the FBI National Academy.
Captain NaShonda G. Howard has 24 years and 10 months of Law Enforcement experience with the City of Birmingham Police Department. Captain Howard has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, and earned a Juris Doctorate Degree from Miles College School of Law, in May 2009. Captain 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 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 Precinct. In July 2009, she was assigned to the Internal Affairs Division as an investigator. Captain Howard was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in July 2011 and served as the Commander of the 911 Call Center. In August 2013, at the rank of Lieutenant, she was assigned and served as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Support Services. As a Lieutenant, she served as the Interim Chief Jail Administrator of the Birmingham Detention Division from May 2015 to June 2016. On October 3, 2015, Captain Howard was promoted to the rank of Captain and continued to serve as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief until October 2017 and then assigned as commander of Crimes against Property comprised of Burglary, Auto Theft, and Major Fraud. In addition, Captain Howard commanded the Internal Affairs Division and Special Victims Unit. Captain Howard retired from the Birmingham Police Department on September 13, 2019. Captain Howard is a FBI- LEEDA (Law Enforcement Executive Development Association) Trilogy Award recipient. Captain Howard joined the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and is presently commanding the Internal Affairs and Academy and Training Divisions.
Captain Cory Hardiman joined the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in November 2019 and is presently the commander of the Birmingham Criminal 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.
