By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Tom Little of Priceville, a former chief deputy with 36 years of law enforcement experience, said Jan. 18 he will be a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Morgan County sheriff in the June 6 Primary Election.
Sheriff Greg Bartlett, a Republican who is serving in his first term, has indicated he will seek re-election.
Little, 58, has never served in a public office but he is not a newcomer to politics. He campaigned for a district seat in the Alabama House of Representatives in 2000 against three other Republican candidates. He lost his bid in a run-off with Rep. Mickey Hammon. Prior to that he was defeated by five votes in a bid for a seat on the Priceville City Council.
"I have the desire to serve and the experience and leadership skills necessary to do a good job," Little stated. "My administration will be proactive and my goal is for all of the citizens of Morgan County to have easy access to the sheriff's department.
"I will run a good, clean race and look forward to meeting and talking with the people of Morgan County. I hope they will welcome the experience and expertise I can bring to the sheriff's office."
Little was chief deputy for Sheriff Steve Crabbe from 1991 until his death in 2002. Previously, he served in the positions of agent, sergeant and lieutenant for the Alabama Beverage Control Board's drug and alcohol enforcement division from 1976 until 1991. Before that he was a police officer for the cities of Huntsville and Scottsboro.
Little is a graduate of the FBI Academy and holds a B.S. degree in criminal justice from the University of Montevallo. He also has a law degree from the Birmingham School of Law. In 2000, he was honored by the American Legion as a National "Law Enforcement Officer of the Year."
An Air Force Veteran, Little and his wife, Patricia, have been married for 36 years and have resided in Priceville for 26 years. They have two adult sons and four grandchildren.