Shelby County’s own Sheriff John Samaniego is the winner of Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama’s 2019 Crime Stopper of the Year Award.

The award is annually given for dedication to fighting crime and for support and commitment to Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama.

“I’m really humbled to be selected as the Crime Stopper of the Year,” Samaniego said. “Really it’s the hard work of the men and women in the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and all the other law enforcement agencies in the county. We all work well together to curb criminal activity in Shelby County.”

Samaniego said he appreciates the work done by Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama, and will continue to be supportive of the organization in the future. An award luncheon recognizing Samaniego will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Wynfrey Hotel.

With more than 40 years in law enforcement, Samaniego was elected sheriff of Shelby County in 2014 and was re-elected in 2018. Prior to being elected sheriff, he served 12 years as the county’s chief deputy. Earlier in his law enforcement career, Samaniego served in both the Tuscaloosa Police Department and the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Department.

He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Drug Commanders Academy, U.S. Secret Service Executive Protection School, the FBI National Executive Institute and the National Sheriff’s Institute. Samaniego has a juris doctorate from the Birmingham School of Law and a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work and Criminal Justice from the University of Alabama.

“We want to thank Sheriff Samaniego for his great service to our state, and in particular to the expertise he brings in law enforcement to one of Alabama’s fastest-growing counties and to the entire metro Birmingham area,” Crime Stoppers Board Chairman Frank Barefield said. “John has committed himself to fighting crime and has been highly supportive of our organization’s efforts here in central Alabama. Crime Stoppers exists to work with both law enforcement agencies and the community to improve the quality of life for our citizens, and it’s an honor to recognize him in this way.”

Presenting the keynote address at the luncheon will be Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, the state’s 48^th Attorney General who became the state’s Chief Law Enforcement Officer in February 2017. He previously served as Marshall County District Attorney for 16 years and served on the National District Attorneys Association Board of Directors. Marshall launched his statewide Initiative on Violent Crime in 2018 with the goal to help cities reclaim their streets, restore the rule of law and see their communities revived.

Crime Stoppers Executive Director Bob Copus said the luncheon is the nonprofit organization’s primary fundraiser for the year.

“Crime Stoppers depends on corporate and public support to offer this anonymous crime tip resource to the community,” Copus said. “Already, we’ve helped resolve almost 7,000 felony cases in our existence.”

Table sponsorships are available by calling (205)586-2038 or by email at director@csmetro.onmicrosoft.com.