Mark Pettway
Mark Pettway | |
|---|---|
Pettway in 2025 | |
| Sheriff of Jefferson County, Alabama | |
| Assumed office January 11, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Mike Hale |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1963 or 1964 (age 61–62) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | Faulkner University |
Mark Levie Pettway (born 1963 or 1964)[1] is an American law enforcement officer who has served as the sheriff of Jefferson County, Alabama, since 2019. He is a member of the Alabama Democratic Party.
Early life and career
Pettway grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, where he attended Ensley High School. He graduated from Faulkner University with a degree in business administration. After high school, he joined the Birmingham Police Department in 1991. Pettway first joined the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office in 1999. In 2008, he was promoted to the detective bureau, where he worked until 2018.[2]
Jefferson County Sheriff
Elections
2018
In 2018, Pettway announced that he would run against incumbent Republican sheriff Mike Hale. In the Democratic primary, he received 42% of the vote and advanced to a runoff election against Wilson Hale.[3] He defeated Wilson Hale in the runoff on July 17.[4] In his campaign, Pettway stated that he favored the use of police body cameras to help reduce crime.[5] He defeated Mike Hale in the general election on November 6, receiving 51% of the vote.[6]
2022
Pettway ran for re-election to a second term in 2022. He won the Democratic primary against three opponents with over 75% of the vote.[7] Facing Republican nominee Jared Hudson in the general election, Pettway stated that violent crime in the unincorporated areas of the county was down by over 10%.[8] He defeated Hudson on November 8, with 52% of the vote.[9]
Tenure
Pettway was sworn in on January 11, 2019, in front of over 1,000 attendees at a local church.[10] In his first term, Pettway installed a deputy at every school in the county. He also worked with the county jail on a Renewed for Reentry Program, which worked to make inmates employable upon their release.[11] When outlining his plans for 2024, Pettway said that he was focused on keeping teenagers out of danger, as well as expanding mental health response services.[12]
References
- ^ "Mark Pettway, Democrat, Sheriff". BirminghamWatch. May 18, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
- ^ Robinson, Carol (November 8, 2018). "Jefferson County's first black sheriff vows to be Nick Saban of law enforcement". AL.com. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ "Jefferson County Sheriff". The Birmingham News. June 8, 2018. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ "PRIMARY RUNOFF 2018" (PDF). Jefferson County Probate Court. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
- ^ Marlow, William (October 31, 2018). "Mark L. Pettway". BirminghamWatch. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ Robinson, Carol (November 8, 2018). "Jefferson County's first black sheriff vows to be Nick Saban of law enforcement". AL.com. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ "Jefferson County sheriff Mark Pettway wins democratic nomination in re-election campaign". WTVM. May 25, 2022. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ Robinson, Carol (October 27, 2022). "Democrat Mark Pettway, Jefferson County's first Black sheriff, says he has vision for second term". AL.com. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ Wright, Barnett; Michaels, Ryan (November 9, 2022). "Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway Defeats GOP Newcomer, Re-Elected to Second Term". The Birmingham Times. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ Robinson, Carol (January 11, 2019). "'This is it': Mark Pettway sworn in as Jefferson County's first black sheriff". AL.com. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ Robinson, Carol (March 3, 2021). "Jefferson County Jail expanding reentry and ready-to-work program". AL.com. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
- ^ Gann, Heather (December 29, 2023). "Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway: 'If you see something, say something'". AL.com. Retrieved October 21, 2025.