Sheriff Jimmy Harris took office on January 17, 2007.  Before being elected, Sheriff Harris spent 16 years as a deputy sheriff, as lieutenant from 1995-2004, and Captain from 2004-2006.  While serving as a deputy, Sheriff Harris organized the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Mounted Unit and served as its Commander.  He also established the “Cowboy Up, Say ‘Whoa’ to Drugs” Program in conjunction with D.A.R.E.  He is a graduate of the Northeast Alabama Police Academy and Geraldine High School.

Sheriff Harris is a member of the Alabama and National Sheriff’s Associations, and the Fort Payne F.O.P. Lodge.  He has been a member of the Geraldine Lodge since 1983.  He is a member of the DeKalb County Shrine Club, the Alabama Egg and Poultry Association, and the Alabama Horse Council.  He was a member of the State of Alabama Agriculture Advisory Commission in 1994.

Sheriff Harris was voted the Best Police Officer in DeKalb County in a Times-Journal poll in 2006 and 2007.  He was awarded the Outstanding Commander Award in 2005, and Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the Fort Payne Optimist Club in 2004.

Sheriff Harris is a member of Nazareth Baptist Church in Rainsville.