United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama Louis V. Franklin, Sr. on Friday retired after three decades of distinguished service to the people of our state and nation.

Franklin joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Alabama in 1990 as an Assistant United States Attorney.

Over the three decades that followed, he rose through the ranks to hold a number of impactful leadership positions, including head of the office’s major drug trafficking task force, criminal chief and acting U.S. Attorney.

His rise culminated with his historic nomination by then-President Donald J. Trump and confirmation by the U.S. Senate in 2017 to serve as the first-ever African-American United States Attorney in the district.

“It has been an absolute privilege to spend my career in this office, serving the people of the Middle District and working alongside so many talented attorneys and staff,” stated Franklin. “I know I am leaving the office in good hands, and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to serve in my hometown and make our communities safer for the people of Alabama.”

During his time at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Franklin reportedly prosecuted hundreds of criminal cases personally, from large-scale drug trafficking operations to high-profile public corruption cases.

A written release from the DOJ highlighted that Franklin “led the prosecution team that brought former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman and HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy to justice for their involvement in a wide-ranging bribery scheme.”

Franklin received his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama, a master’s degree from Auburn University at Montgomery and his law degree from Howard University.

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn