Demopolis police chief entering sheriff race

Demopolis Police Department Chief Tommie Reese has thrown his hat into the race for the office of Sheriff of Marengo County.

Reese qualified just before the deadline Friday afternoon and will seek to run the department that he served for nearly two decades.

“After serving there for 18 years, I have always had a desire to be the sheriff of my home county,” Reese said. “After much prayer and talking with my family and friends and being approached by numerous people, I felt the time was right to run for sheriff. I am asking for everyone’s support and prayers.”

Reese began his law enforcement career with the Alabama Department of Public Safety before moving to the Demopolis Police Department where he served from 1987 until 1990.

Reese then moved to the Marengo County Sheriff’s Department where he served from 1991 until 2009. Reese was a Deputy Sheriff until 1994 before working as Chief Deputy from 94 until 2009 when he left to become the chief of the Demopolis Police Department.

“I feel the citizens of this county deserve the best protection from the sheriff’s office,” Reese said. “The sheriff’s office is an office of the people and I want to restore that office back to the people and restore some respect to that office. It is the sheriff’s office by name, but it is the people’s office.”

As Reese officially enters the political fray for the first time, he said he will draw previous experiences when running his campaign.

“Politics is a unique animal. I’ve been a part of the political arena since going into the sheriff’s office in 1991. I’ve worked for several different sheriffs. Being the chief deputy, your job was on the line every election,” Reese said. “Coming to Demopolis, you have to be elected by the council, so you basically have to do the same thing again.”

As he enters the race for sheriff, Reese sought to emphasize to Demopolis voters that his election to the office sheriff would not preclude him from being a part of the Demopolis law enforcement landscape.

“Demopolis is my home, has always been my home. I have always had a love for the City of Demopolis,” Reese said. “Demopolis is my home where I live and I must take care of home. Demopolis is not going to be left out by me going to the Sheriff’s office. If I win the office and Demopolis has a case that we can help get resolved, we’ll do that.”

The Democratic primary is set to take place Tuesday, June 3. The general election is set for Tuesday, Nov. 4.