NCJ Number
48710
Journal
Police Magazine Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1978) Pages: 41-46
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
WHEN BLACK SHERIFF JOHN HULETT WAS ELECTED IN LOWNDES COUNTY, ALABAMA, HE FACED A RACIALLY POLARIZED COMMUNITY. AFTER 7 YEARS OF HARD WORK, HE HAS GAINED ACCEPTANCE FROM BLACKS AND WHITES ALIKE.
Abstract
IN 1970, THE WHITE MINORITY IN THE COUNTY HAD LONG RELIED ON THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL THROUGH FEAR. WHEN HULETT TOOK OVER, THE OFFICE HAD BEEN CLEARED OUT, AND HE FOUND HIMSELF WITHOUT DEPUTIES, FILES, OR WEAPONS. HULETT HAS WORKED HARD TO PROVE HIMSELF; LAST YEAR (1977), HE WORKED 362 DAYS, 16 HOURS A DAY IN PRIMITIVE CONDITIONS. FOR 6 YEARS OF HIS TERM, HE AND HIS FAMILY LIVED IN THE JAIL BECAUSE THERE WAS NO JAILER. ON A TYPICAL DAY, HULETT BRINGS FOOD TO THE JAIL TO BE COOKED BY AN INMATE TRUSTY, DRIVES TO HIS FARM TO DO CHORES, AND PERHAPS OFFERS CHILDREN A RIDE TO SCHOOL. BY 7 A.M., HE IS ON HIS WAY TO MAKE AN ARREST. HE ORDERS SUPPLIES FOR PRISONERS, EXPLAINS THE ARRESTEES' RIGHTS TO THEM, AND FOLLOWING A QUICK BREAKFAST IS ON HIS WAY TO THE DETERIORATING COURTHOUSE, WHICH IS IN EVEN WORSE CONDITION THAN THE COUNTY JAIL. THERE HE ANSWERS QUESTIONS AND DEALS WITH PROBLEMS BEFORE LEAVING IN HIS FAMILY CAR TO DELIVER SUBPOENAS AND WARRANTS. BETWEEN THE SEATS IS A SHOTGUN GIVEN TO HIM BY A WHITE COMMUNITY MEMBER AFTER THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE GUNS FROM THE OFFICE. HE RETURNS TO HIS OFFICE AND CONSULTS WITH ONE OF HIS DEPUTIES; THE OTHER, A WOMAN WHO HANDLES MOSTLY OFFICE WORK IS OUT FOR THE WEEK. THE AFTERNOON IS SPENT SERVING MORE WARRANTS, CHECKING OUT COMPLAINTS, AND MAYBE MEETING WITH SOME OF HIS SIX UNPAID WHITE VOLUNTEER DEPUTIES. THE EVENING IS SPENT COLLECTING FINES, MEETING WITH A GROUP OF DISGRUNTLED BLACK VOTERS, ATTENDING A CITY COUNCIL MEETING, AND MAKING MORE STOPS ON HIS WAY HOME. MOST PEOPLE FEEL SHERIFF HULETT WILL DO WELL IN THE FALL ELECTION. ALTHOUGH HE LACKS PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND ADEQUATE RESOURCES, MOST FEEL HE HAS DONE A GOOD JOB UNDER DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES. ASSORTED PHOTOS ARE PROVIDED. (JAP)