Every year during National Police Week, I’m reminded of the profound honor it is to serve alongside the brave men and women of law enforcement who work for the people of Alabama. This week is not only about recognizing those currently serving in law enforcement, but also all those who came before us, and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. It’s an important time for reflection, remembrance, and deep gratitude for these hardworking men and women.
As Executive Director of the Alabama Sheriffs Association, I have the privilege of serving sheriffs across the great state of Alabama. Communities throughout our nation rely on local law enforcement to keep their families safe each and every day. But we cannot do this work alone. Without strong partnerships at the state and federal levels, we wouldn’t have the resources necessary to meet the growing demands of the job.
That’s why I’m grateful for leaders like Senator Katie Britt, who has proven herself to be an incredible champion for Alabama law enforcement. From the moment she took office, her support has been unwavering. Whether through leading the Laken Riley Act, which is getting criminal illegal aliens off our streets, or her work on the Appropriations Committee, she has prioritized ensuring that law enforcement agencies all over the state have the tools they need to protect Alabamians and serve effectively.
For these reasons, among many others, Senator Britt was awarded the Crime Stopper of the Year Award in 2025, reflecting her advocacy for law enforcement agencies at every level.
Impressively, over the past few appropriations cycles, Senator Britt has delivered more than $12.6 million in law enforcement-related funding for 20 counties across Alabama. At a time when law enforcement agencies face evolving public safety threats and are asked to do more than ever before, Senator Britt’s diligent work in securing funding for those departments doesn’t go unnoticed. This support makes a real, tangible difference in the lives of our officers.
Policing today is more complex than ever. And while public sentiment towards law enforcement has wavered in recent years, Senator Britt’s support never has. She understands the realities of our profession and that our officers work tirelessly to ensure Alabama continues to have safe streets and strong communities. I’ve seen firsthand our officers’ dedication to keeping Alabamians safe and the sacrifices they make time and time again to put others before themselves.
My role is to support them in every way I can, but there are limits to what I can do at the local and state levels. That’s why having an advocate like Senator Britt fighting at the federal level is so important.
Her leadership translates into real results: updated equipment to better protect our officers in the line of duty, modernized vehicles to replace aging fleets, and improved communication tools to assist in being more responsive to our communities.
This week, I encourage everyone to take a moment and thank a local law enforcement officer. The sacrifices they make every day in the name of public safety should be celebrated not just this week, but year-round. And as we look ahead to the rest of the year, my commitment remains the same: to support our officers, strengthen our local departments, and serve Alabama. I remain dedicated to working with leaders like Senator Britt to meet the challenges ahead and continue building a safer Alabama for all.
Sheriff Huey Hoss Mack is the current Executive Director of the Alabama Sheriffs Association and former President. He served as Baldwin County Sheriff for 17 years and has served Alabama law enforcement for 39 years.
