Montgomery County Sheriff Derrick Cunningham has been named the National Sheriffs’ Association Sheriff of the Year for 2026, one of the highest distinctions awarded to a sheriff nationwide.

The Alabama Sheriffs Association announced the recognition, noting that the award honors outstanding leadership and service among more than 3,000 sheriffs nationwide.

“The Alabama Sheriffs Association proudly announces that Sheriff Derrick Cunningham of Montgomery County, Alabama, has been named the National Sheriffs’ Association Sheriff of the Year for 2026. This distinction is one of the most prestigious honors in law enforcement, recognizing outstanding leadership and service among more than 3,000 sheriffs nationwide. Sheriff Cunningham has made a lasting impact on Montgomery County through innovative initiatives that strengthen public safety, enhance the quality of life for residents, and promote meaningful community engagement—while consistently upholding the highest standards of professionalism and service.”

Cunningham, who was sworn in as Montgomery County’s 39th sheriff in January 2015, is the first African American to hold the office. He leads an agency of more than 400 employees, overseeing a $50.1 million budget across a 643-square-mile jurisdiction.

His path into law enforcement began after his family relocated from Tacoma, Washington, to Tuscaloosa when he was young. At age 21, Cunningham answered a television recruitment message from the Montgomery Police Department and entered the police academy, graduating in 1989.

Roughly a decade later, he was assigned to the department’s Detective Division investigating homicides and became a member of the International Homicide Investigators Association.

In 1999, then-Sheriff D.T. Marshall appointed Cunningham as chief deputy, a role he held for 15 years before becoming sheriff.

Throughout his career, Cunningham has been widely associated with community-based policing efforts, youth mentoring initiatives, and the use of modern technology tools to improve public safety and law enforcement responsiveness.

In addition to his field experience, Cunningham holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Troy University and a Master of Science degree from the University of Phoenix. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy (Class 231) and the 108th National Sheriffs’ Institute in Aurora, Colorado. He is also certified as an Advanced Crime Prevention Specialist through the American Crime Prevention Institute.

Beyond local law enforcement, Cunningham retired from the Alabama National Guard after more than 24 years of service and serves as Montgomery County’s point of contact for Homeland Security funding and coordination.

He has also held multiple leadership roles within the Alabama Sheriffs Association, including Sergeant-at-Arms, Vice President, and President, serving two consecutive terms as President through 2022. His public service extends into the nonprofit sector, where he has served on boards and advisory groups supporting victims of crime, Alzheimer’s programs, youth development, and civic organizations.

The national recognition places Cunningham among a small group of sheriffs each year singled out for leadership, innovation, and sustained service — a milestone that reflects both his long career in uniform and his continued focus on community-centered policing across Montgomery.

 Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].