Shelby County Sheriff's Office

06/12/2026

Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Welcomes Newest K9 Investigator.

(Columbiana, AL) On May 15th, 2026 the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office welcomed its first Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9 to its ranks. ESD K9, “Onyx,” started his tour of duty on May 15, 2026 and is assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division’s (CID) Investigator Bulgrin. K9 Onyx is trained and sponsored by the United States Secret Service National Computer Forensic Institute (NCFI). K9 Onyx is trained to locate hidden electronics which offenders commonly hide to conceal Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) evidence.

Onyx will also be able to search the jail for cellphones and contraband as well as digital evidence on crime scenes. Additionally, K9 Onyx is cross-trained as a therapy dog which will greatly help out victims dealing with stressful events.

Sheriff John Samaniego stated, "The protection of children remains one of the highest priorities of the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. Criminals who exploit children often believe they can hide digital evidence from investigators, but Onyx gives us another powerful resource to uncover that evidence and hold offenders accountable.”

The Shelby County Sheriff's Office remains committed to equipping its deputies and investigators with the latest tools and technology to safeguard the community. The addition of K9 Onyx represents another step forward in that mission and reinforces the agency's unwavering dedication to protecting children, supporting victims, and bringing offenders to justice.

06/11/2026

Last week, the Shelby County Sheriff's Office proudly hosted a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training presented by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Alabama. This specialized training equips deputies and law enforcement officers with the knowledge and skills to safely and effectively respond to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis while connecting them with the resources and services they need.

We are grateful for our continued partnership with NAMI Alabama as we invest in ongoing training that strengthens our ability to serve the citizens of Shelby County with professionalism, compassion, and excellence.

If you're looking for a rewarding career where you can make a meaningful difference in your community, now is the time to join the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. Visit our hiring page in the comments below and apply today to become part of something bigger than yourself.

06/10/2026

📢 Victim of a crime? You don't have to wonder about your offender's custody status.

With VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday), you can instantly search for an offender's current status online or by phone. Even better, you can register to get automatic alerts via phone or email the moment their status changes.
Your safety and peace of mind matter.

➡️ Check a status or register today: https://www.shelbyso.com/214/Alabama-State-Victim-Notification-Servic

06/08/2026

Congratulations to Deputy Joseph Nichols, recipient of the 2026 American Legion Post 555 "Deputy of the Year" Award. Deputy Nichols was recognized for his exceptional bravery, professionalism, and dedication after intervening in a violent robbery, pursuing the suspect, and helping bring a dangerous offender into custody, actions that likely saved a victim from further harm. We are also grateful for his service as an officer in the Alabama National Guard and appreciate his military command for allowing him temporary leave to receive this well-deserved honor. Please join us in congratulating Deputy Nichols on this outstanding achievement and thanking him for his service to Shelby County and our nation.

06/08/2026

Update: The railroad crossings are now clear.

06/04/2026

The records window at the 280 County Services Building is temporarily closed until further notice. If you need to pick up a police report or apply for a concealed carry permit, the records window at the Sheriff’s Office, located at 380 McDow Road, Columbiana, AL 35051, will remain open, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. We apologize for any inconvenience. For more information, please call 205-670-6000.

06/01/2026

Update..... He has been located safe and without injury. We thank you all who shared this post.

Please share. We are currently searching for a missing 14 year old male with special needs in the Westover/ Vandiver area of Highway 55. If you have any information, please dial 911.

05/29/2026

Recently, several highly respected jail deputies and deputy sheriffs reached an incredible milestone — 25 years of dedicated service to our community.

Their legacy of service now creates opportunities for the next generation of law enforcement professionals to step forward and answer the call.

If you've ever considered a career in law enforcement, now is the time. Visit our hiring page in the comments below and apply today to become part of something bigger than yourself.

05/25/2026

Our business offices will be closed tomorrow, in observance of Memorial Day.

05/24/2026