BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
Photos by Carmen Rodgers and Kimberly Kervin
It was standing room only in Courtroom 1 Monday at the Autauga County Courthouse for the official swearing in of new Sheriff Mark Harrell.
It was a ceremony of emotions, from joy, humor, and a strong show of respect for the memory of Sheriff Joe Sedinger, who passed away in December. Many times, continued prayers were requested for the Sedinger family, employees of the sheriff’s office and the county residents.
Chief Assistant District Attorney Mandy Johnson served as the emcee for the ceremony, introducing guests.
It has been a difficult time for the Autauga County Sheriff’s office with the unexpected passing of their beloved leader Sheriff Joe Sedinger.
Harrell and others said that “Sheriff Joe’s” presence and memory will remain in the halls of the courthouse and the sheriff’s office. His service to his country as a Vietnam Veteran and the many years as a law enforcement officer will always be appreciated. His death left a hole, and everyone was encouraged to continue to pray for the department through this transition.
Much credit was given to Chief Deputy David Hill, who stepped in months before Sedinger’s death, as he was being treated for cancer. Hill was named interim sheriff, until Harrell was officially sworn in after being selected from a large field of applicants by Governor Kay Ivey.
John Barfoot was the first to speak, and led the opening prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.
Barfoot thanked Harrell’s supporters, his family and friends for their dedication.
“As a resident of Autauga County, I appreciate Mark and his desire to answer the call of duty,” Barfoot said. “Mark had a great career in law enforcement. He could have stepped back and not had to tackle the heavy load that the sheriff has to tackle. But he sought that responsibility.”
Circuit Judge Amanda Baxley was next to speak about her friend, Mark Harrell.
While most in the room, Baxley said, know Mark through his law enforcement experience, she has a unique experience. As part of her work as an attorney she was a Guardian Ad Litem for children. She worked with the Harrell’s as they took in and adopted foster children.
She said there are three things people can expect from Mark Harrell.
Those are that he will follow what the Lord tells him to do. He has a servant’s heart. She said as he takes over as sheriff, he will be dedicated and show his community spirit.
“It is nothing short of God’s plan that we are all here today,” she said. “Sometimes the path to get us where we are supposed to be is not an easy one. But it is God’s plan and it is His path. When the days get hard, I want you to look back in the Bible at the story of Esther. Think about how God called her to be a queen and the things she had to go through. It wasn’t always easy. I am honored and privileged to call you sheriff. But most importantly I am honored to call you friend.”
Next up was Kyle Shirley, President of the Autauga County Bar Association and County Attorney.
“Mark, you are going to be following behind three giants of the law enforcement community. Between Sheriff Hill, Sheriff Sedinger and Sheriff Johnson, you are following over 100 years of law enforcement experience.”
Shirley said that Harrell believes in the law, but he also believes in justice.
He issued a challenge to Harrell. “Continue to seek justice for all citizens of Autauga County. Continue to seek peace for our citizens. If you keep justice and the rule of law as your guide, Autauga County will be a much better place.”
Next up was Retired Prattville Police Captain David Fowler.
“I love you like a brother,” Fowler told Harrell.
He pointed out that Harrell is only the 41st Sheriff of Autauga County in the 204 years of history.
Fowler said that he wanted to remember Sheriff Joe Sedinger and his service to Autauga County.
“He was a very honorable man,” Fowler said, adding he was loved by the community and well-respected in the law enforcement community. “I, along with countless others in the room, have worked with Sheriff Sedinger.”
Fowler said that everyone knew Sheriff Sedinger was only a phone call away when help was needed.
“He is in a better place than all of us right now. He had a strong Christian faith. He is truly missed. I heard Mark say earlier he has big shoes to fill. And he certainly does,” Fowler said.
He said that Harrell will never shy away from work, as shown in his service to the Prattville Police Department. Fowler said he will not be one to sit behind a desk, but will be out on the road with his deputies leading by example.
Fowler said that while Harrell had run in the recent election for Autauga County Sheriff before Sedinger’s passing, this was not the way he wanted to take over the office.
However, he said Harrell has a great reputation, and great contacts. He said he believes Harrell was given this opportunity because of his passion for the community.
“He will do everything in his power to improve what Sheriff Sedinger started and prove to the citizens of Autauga County that he is the right man for the job.”
Next up was Autauga County Probate Judge Kim Kervin.
“We had a hard month here in Autauga County. We had the immeasurable and sorrowful loss of Sheriff Sedinger. We had the devastation from the tornadoes in our county.”
She said she has known Mark and Melissa Harrell for many years, and worked with his wife, Melissa, in the District Court. She knew that Mark and Melissa had adopted foster children into their family.
“I asked them how it was going, and they said, ‘They are our babies. We loved them before they walked in the door.’ It is just that compassion that they have.”
She shared a humorous memory of Harrell at a time when a Fun Run was held. A nine-foot wall of donuts was constructed for the event. When it started to fall over, there was an urgency to save the donuts from hitting the ground.
Someone suggested that Harrell could help secure it, which she found funny. ”He is a police officer and it is a wall of donuts.” But she said he stepped up and said, “Let’s just get it done.”
Kervin recognized Harrell as not just the sheriff, but an individual, husband, a father and most importantly a child of God.
She challenged him to be a servant leader of the Autauga County team of deputies and staff.
“You do not know them yet, but I have the blessing to work with them. You have a great team to work with.”
With that, Circuit Judge Joy Booth issued the oath of office, culminating with thunderous applause and a standing ovation.
When Harrell took the podium, he thanked his wife and family first for their support.
“I want to give God the glory. If you don’t think that God was in this process, come to church with me,” Harrell said.
He said he has had many challenges, but wanted to thank interim Sheriff David Hill.
“I hope and pray that my service to Autauga County will be in honor of Sheriff Joe Sedinger.”
He recognized retired Sheriff Herbie Johnson who was in the audience. Harrell said that he has leaned on Johnson’s wisdom, and will continue to do so in the future.
He said that so many people have prayed for the sheriff’s office, and he asked for those prayers to continue.
“I am ready and willing to serve all citizens of Autauga County with honor, dignity and respect. That is all citizens of the county. Whether you support me or not, I will support you. It doesn’t matter who you are, what race or religion, we will support everybody. We will treat everyone with respect and dignity.”
To his deputies of the sheriff’s office, he said, “We have a lot of challenges ahead. We will serve every citizen with respect. And we will go above and beyond to make sure that they are safe. I know you do it now…but we are going to do that.” He said that their chosen profession is difficult and comes with innumerable challenges.
He said that both he and his deputies will be held accountable. He wants to create the best law enforcement division in the state. “But I cannot do it alone. It is going to take you and me.”
To the families of the deputies, he said “It is hard to watch us get dressed in our uniforms, put on a belt and vest and walk out the door. I will do everything in my power to make sure that your family member comes home safe. I have lost a lot of good brothers throughout the state. I have a son that is in law enforcement. I will make sure that the deputies have the best training and the best equipment that I can provide with the help of the Commission.”
He then asked that all sheriff’s deputies present stand up, which produced another round of applause.
Harrell said that as a team, they will all work hard and they will have his unwavering support as they serve with honor.
“May God bless Autauga County,” he said finishing.
To close the ceremony, at Harrell’s request, all those in law enforcement were asked to come to the front of the courtroom for prayer. They encircled Harrell, many placing their hands on him, and began praying.
Following the ceremony, everyone was invited back to Kimberlia’s for a reception.
