Local Constables Establish Association, Help Keep Peace
A group of men are meeting regularly to help keep the peace in Walker County. This should come as no surprise, except that these men are investing their time in law enforcement without a salary. Last month, the budding Walker County Constables Association met at Moore’s Landing to discuss improvements to the office of Constable, and to promote unity between Constables from precinct to precinct.You may have seen the word Constable on any number of cruisers in Walker County and wondered what in the world a Constable does. Section 36-23-5 of the Code of Alabama define Constables as “conservators of peace.” This is no new concept. The office of Constable dates back to Roman times, when men were hired to protect the horses of the monarchy (see Latin comes stabuli, “attendant to the stables”). Through the years, the office of Constable was used in Medieval Europe, and was particularly important to the upholding of English common law during the era of feudalism. In early America, Constables and “watchmen” patrolled towns and served as precursors to the modern-day police officer.
Today, the term “Constable” may vary from state to state. In Alabama, constables are elected by precinct, may carry a badge, and have full powers of arrest. To be office eligible, one must have lived in their precinct for at least a year, have no felonies on record, and be 21 years of age.Many Constables are retired police officers, but those who have no formal police training may (and do) take classes in officer training at Bevill State Community College, which includes instruction on tasering and the use of force. Local Constables often assist with road blocks and wrecks, in addition to their normal patrol activities.
The following is a list of Constables in Walker County, by precinct: Beat 1, Jasper Mall: Terry Stripling; Beat 2, Farmstead School: Philip Daniel; Beat 3, Bethel Assembly of God: Tommy Cleghorn; Beat 4, Meadow/Smith: Vacant; Beat 5, Carbon Hill Community Center: Philip Howard; Beat 6, Townley Odd Fellows Lodge: Ronald Howton; Beat 7, Memorial Park Natatorium: Ronald E. Raines; Beat 8, Westside Baptist: Jeff Lockhart; Beat 9, Oakman Community Center: Howard Anderson; Beat 10, Tutwiler Fire Department: Norman Dunn; Beat 11, Union Hall Goodsprings: Charles Harper; Beat 13, Dora Civic Center: Douglas Lively; Beat 14, Valley Jr. High: James R. Hicks; Beat 15, Sipsey School: Jonathan Cagle; Beat 16, Empire Union Building: John Rhodes; Beat 17, Curry Smith Lake Civic Center: Barry White; Beat 21, Twilley Town Church: Jerald Watts; Beat 22, Parrish High School Gym: Hugh Plylar; Beat 23, Saragossa Community Center: James H. Duncan; Beat 24, Pocahontas Methodist Church: Howard Lee Morgan; Beat 25, Eldridge City Hall: Dorothy Tucker; Beat 26, Kansas City Hall: Allen Hinds; Beat 28, Boldo Community Center: Jamie D. McDonald; Beat 30, Abundant Life Church: Jimmy Harrison; Beat 31, Thatch School: Wayne Smith; Beat 32, Prospect Methodist Church: James W. Shedd; Beat 33, Crossroads Church of Christ: James (Ott) Estes; Beat 34, Nauvoo City Hall: Derane Ingle; Beat 37, Bevill State Tech: Terry Pickett; Beat 38, Dillworth Community Building: Terry W. Roberts; Beat 39, New Hope Missionary: Joe Ferguson; Beat 40, Walker County EMA: Larry Myers; Beat 41, Pleasant Field Baptist Church: Danny Threadgill; Beat 42, Argo Fire Department: Roger Whited; Beat 44, Manchester Community Building: Jeff Nelson; Beat 45, Old Herman Church: Randall Light. 
The Walker County Constables Association is currently meeting on the fourth Monday of every month, and dues for the association are $25 per year.
Beat 44 Constable Jeff Nelson