Command Staff

Sheriff Ron Puckett


Sheriff Ron Puckett was elected in November 2018 after securing almost70% of the votes in a six-person race. He took Office in January 2019 and was re-elected in November 2022. He is the son of Harry and  Margaret Puckett and was raised in Hartselle where he graduated from Hartselle High School. He was raised working on a farm with his family where they raised cattle and baled hay. Sheriff Puckett grew up in church with parents that were very involved with church activities. Part of his church experience was attending the Hartselle Camp Meeting each summer. This was an 11-day camp that has occurred annually for over 120 years. Sheriff Puckett was saved while attending Camp Meeting when he was a young teen and he is still involved with the Camp Meeting to this day. After he graduated high school he went to college and graduated from Athens State College with a B.S. in Criminal Justice. While attending college he joined the Hartselle Volunteer Fire Department and began working for Hartselle Ambulance Service as an EMT. After graduation, he went to work as a Juvenile Probation Officer with Morgan County Juvenile Court. He worked there for 2 years before joining the Hartselle Police Department. While at the police department, he gained experience in multiple areas. He began as a patrol officer and worked the roads on third shift. He was eventually assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division, where he worked as an investigator for 10 years. He investigated everything from the theft of a hubcap to homicide. After that assignment, he was promoted to Captain over Patrol. He held that position until he was promoted to Chief of Police. He served as the Chief of Police for over 12 years. While serving as Chief of Police he received professional training from the Alabama Police Chief's Association and has been recognized as a Certified Police Chief. He has received an Advanced Certificate of Achievement in Police Management and has been recognized as a Certified Law Enforcement Executive by the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission. Additionally, he served on the Training and Education Committee for the Alabama Chiefs of Police Association. He has been an instructor for the New Police Chief's class which is offered to all new Chiefs in the State of Alabama. Sheriff Puckett has also taught ethics, recruiting and hiring of law enforcement officers, and trained on effectively executing the position of the police chief. He has had the opportunity to work with elected officials and understands the importance of working together to make a difference. Throughout his career, he has managed budgets and worked on personnel issues while also writing policies and directives. He has also been involved with and successfully navigated risk management issues. In all, he has had the opportunity to work with some of the best law enforcement officers. Sheriff Puckett feels truly blessed and honored to be able to work beside them, and on the same team. Finally, Sheriff Puckett is a man of faith. He is a Christian and lives his life according to the scripture. He endeavors to live life as a man of God and to be the salt and light of Jesus to this world. "I am not ashamed of my Christian walk and I endeavor to lead in a manner that would bring honor to Jesus. My goal is to be a sheriff that your children, grandchildren, and family will see as a man of character, honesty, and integrity. I will model these characteristics in my life and will bring honor to the Sheriff's Office." -Sheriff Ron Puckett

Chief Deputy Alan Host

Chief Deputy Alan Host joined the Morgan County Sheriff's office in 2014.  Chief Host has experience working in various church roles and with the Hartselle Police Department, where he worked his way up to the rank of Lieutenant. Along the way, he obtained his Police Science degree from Wallace State and provides wisdom on how to handle difficult situations and people.  His focus is teaching, mainly in how he conducts himself and treats others. At the Sheriff's Office, he served as a made Field Training Officer, then was promoted to Corporal and then to Sergeant in 2019.  In 2020 he was promoted to Chief Deputy by Sheriff Ron Puckett to assist him in running the sheriff's office.  Chief Host has received training in executive management with the Alabama Sheriff's Association, in hostage negotiations as well as other training that keeps him current and educated in the various areas that he oversees.  He is also a firearms instructor and a Glock Armorer. 

Although Chief Host stepped out of law enforcement to go into full-time ministry in 1999, he never left the law enforcement/first responder family.  He stayed on as chaplain to both Hartselle PD & Fire but mostly as a close friend who was always available to listen to, advise & encourage. When he joined the Sheriff's office in 2014 one of his goals was to bring unity among all the local departments.  He understood what it meant to be a part of a law enforcement family but often that family must depend on help from other departments and as he often says, it is better to know the person before you need them to back you up. 

Chief is known for his listening ear and encouragement.  He not only listens to those he works with but also those he is called to help.  Many people who rode in his car both for courtesy rides and those he carried to jail got to hear his encouraging words to not give up on themselves and what potential they have and can reach.  Many times, in public he is approached and thanked by family members and or a person that he has arrested.  When asked by his wife, "Why do they thank you?" - his answer is always "Because I treated them or their family member with respect and tried to help them." 

Chief was born in Ludington, MI to Pete & Joyce Host.  He graduated from Ludington Faith Academy in 1981 and then graduated from Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, TX in 1983.  He graduated from Wallace State in 1997 with an associate degree In Police Science.  In 1985, he traveled with his parents, who were evangelists, to Alabama where he helped start a church in Tuscaloosa. He was a worship leader & youth leader and met and married his wife, Jamie Peck in 1987 there. While he was in Tuscaloosa, he was a department manager at Wal-Mart.

Chief and his wife, Jamie, moved to her hometown of Hartselle in 1989. Chief Host and his wife enjoy spending time with their two sons, beautiful daughters-in-law, and 7 grandchildren. They have lived in the same house and have been a part of their community since 1989. 

Chief has been youth pastor, worship leader, associate pastor & lead pastor in area churches as well as working with community-based youth groups.  While working in law enforcement and in the community, Chief became pastor to many that he worked with & helped along the way and is still among the first that they call when they face a tragedy or just need someone to listen to them and encourage them.

Even after moving up to being Chief in 2020 to help Sheriff Ron Puckett run the sheriff's office, he still endeavors to stay connected to, encourage, and help those on the road and in the field.  He sees the best and the potential in those he meets and works with. He lives daily and believes in the call that Jesus has on his life to help, listen to, encourage & impart wisdom to those who will listen.  Even some that he thought were not listening have come back later and thanked him for what he said to them. 

Chief Host enjoys his job, serving the community and encouraging his fellow man, and has the desire to make Morgan County a better place to live.

Captain Eric Fields
Patrol Division

A graduate of Brewer High School, Captain Fields began his law enforcement career with Morgan County in 2004, beginning as a detention officer, later becoming a lead officer within the jail and ultimately becoming a member of the Certified Emergency Response Team. Captain Fields graduated the Jefferson County Sheriff's Academy in 2006 where he joined the patrol division. Captain Fields rose thru the ranks of Deputy, Corporal, Sergeant, and Lieutenant. 

During his tenure with the office, Captain Fields contributed to many divisions. He assisted in numerous criminal investigations involving special victims and drug endangered children. Captain Fields has worked within the United States Gulf Coast Regional Marshals Task Force as a sworn Special Deputy US Marshal. 

Captain Fields has received numerous tactical certifications, active shooter certification, investigative interview training, juvenile homicide and mass murder training, mental health officer certified and T.A.A.S.R.O certified. A certified Glock Armorer and a N.R.A. instructor for pistol, shotgun, and rifle.

A 2015 recipient of the 34th Annual Director's Honorary Distinguished Award from the US Marshals Service and the Commendation Medal from the Sons of the Amercian Revolution in 2016.

Eric has been married for 15 years, he and wife have 2 boys. Eric enjoys weight lifting, coaching his boys in sports, and working on old cars.  

Captain Jeff Reynolds
Civil Division

Captain Reynolds graduated from Hartselle High School in 1991. Jeff began as a part-time patrol officer at Rogersville Police Department in 2000, after successfully completing the 118th training session from Northeast Alabama Law Enforcement Academy in Jacksonville, Alabama.

Captain Reynolds went to work with Falkville Police Department as a patrol officer later in 2000. Captain Reynolds, moved to the Morgan County Sheriff's Office in 2003, where he was assigned to the Patrol Division. Jeff transferred into the Criminal Investigation Division in 2013, where he worked all types of felony cases. Jeff was promoted to Lieutenant within that division in 2019. Captain Reynolds was transferred to the Patrol Division in 2021, when he was promoted to Captain. Jeff currently serves as one of our department's Firearms Instructor.

Jeff is married, he and his wife have 2 boys.

Captain Perry Shands
Felony Divisions

A 2002 graduate of Hartselle High School, Captain Shands began his career in law enforcement in 2004 as a Correctional Officer at Morgan County Sheriff's Office. Perry graduated from Wallace State Community College in 2005 with an Associate in Applied Science in Criminalistics and an Associate in Applied Science in Law
Enforcement.

Captain Shands attended the 22nd Session of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Academy, where he was promoted to Deputy after graduation in 2007. Perry was awarded the Deputy of the Year Award in 2010. Perry was promoted to Sergeant in 2013, where he was assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division for 4 years. In 2017, Perry returned to the Patrol Division where he was awarded the Supervisor of the Year in 2017. Captain Shands was promoted to Captain in 2019, where he would oversee the Patrol Division. Captain Shands transferred into the Criminal Investigative Division in 2022, where he currently leads all felony units.

Captain Shands, received the Law Enforcement Commendation Medal from The National Society of Sons of the American Revolution - Tennessee Valley Chapter 2017. Captain Shands enjoys coaching his son, watching baseball, and hunting in his off time.

Captain Richard Moats
Morgan County Jail

Captain Moats is a 2005 graduate of East Lawrence High School and the Son of Michael and Suprena Moats. While pursuing a degree to enter the education field, a friend suggested that he seek a job at the Morgan County Jail to provide income while he finished his degree. In August of 2010, Captain Moats began working at the Morgan County Jail and discovered that he had found his calling. Captain Moats discovered that there was no better place to have a positive impact on the lives of others when dealing with 600+ inmates and 108 Staff members daily. Promoted to Corporal in 2013, Sergeant in 2015, Lieutenant in 2017, and Captain in 2023; Moats has approached leadership with a servant mentality for not only the employees but also those incarcerated who are under his watch. Captain Moats has earned the title of National Certified Corrections Supervisor, was named the National Institute of Jail Operations (NIJO) Detention Supervisor of the Year for the Southern region, has been named Supervisor of the Year, Corrections Officer of the Year, served as an instructor on both the state and National levels with NIJO and other organizations in hopes of preparing corrections Officers around the country to do their job safely and legally. Captain Moats is a range safety officer, Freeze+P instructor, and has attended multiple other training events to further his knowledge and skill set. Captain Moats married his wife Lindsay in 2013 and they have two children. Captain Moats and his family are active in their church where he serves as a Deacon and fills in wherever a need arises. Captain Moats relies on his faith to navigate the stresses of overseeing such a large operation as the Morgan County Jail, paraphrasing a section of 2 Chronicles where God says, "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle is not yours." Just as the scripture states, Captain Moats does not believe his work in the jail is about him, but about empowering those who are under his watch to grow, excel, and have positive outcomes in their personal and professional lives.

  Public Information Officer
  Mike Swafford
  

Mike began his career in 2019, becoming the first person to serve as the Public Information Officer for the Sheriff's Office. A native of Fyffe, Alabama and a graduate of Fyffe High School, Mike earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Jacksonville State University with a minor in Communications.

Mike never dreamed of a job in the spotlight or imagined being the spokesperson for a Law Enforcement entity. He uses the PIO position to be "a trusted source for information that citizens can rely on". Additionally, with his corporate background, Mike works to modernize the Sheriff's Office and ensure that citizens can access the information and services they need.

Prior to taking the position of PIO, Mike spent the previous 20-plus years in corporate leadership, most recently as a regional manager with AWI Communications. He also operated his own public relations and campaign strategy business in which he helped local companies and organizations maintain their social media presence. It's that background that Mike believes has prepared him for this job.

Along with managing all the press releases and social media, Mike works to keep the 200-plus employees informed as well as build community partnerships.  Mike has a long history of serving his community and has served as a 2-time past president of the Hartselle Kiwanis Club, a member and Director of the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce, as the commissioner for Hartselle Flag Football and a Board Member of the Hartselle City Schools Board of Education.

Mike is married to Sallye(Rowe) of Falkville who is an elementary school,  teacher with Morgan County Schools. They have two children, Brennan and Rowe, who attend Hartselle City Schools and are active in multiple sports. They are active members of the First Baptist Church of Hartselle.

You can read more about Mike here:  Profile: Mike Swafford

   Administrative Assistant to the Sheriff
   Mandy Gandy
  

Mandy Gandy is the Administrative Support Specialist for Sheriff Puckett. Her duties include NCIC agency information security officer, ensures that all eligible employees are NCIC certified and are in compliance with State rules and regulations, purchasing agent for Patrol, Investigations, and Narcotics divisions, works closely with division Captains to ensure the security of the records management systems and inventory. Other duties included scheduling appointments with the Sheriff and overseeing the general wellness of the Office to ensure all things needed are on hand for everyday operations.

Mandy went the Falkville High School and attended Wallace State Community College. She worked from 2002 until 2015 for Hartselle Police Department as a 911 dispatcher. In 2019 she accepted an offer from Sheriff Puckett to work with the Morgan County Sheriff's Office. She is married with two children, four dogs, three cats, and one horse.