Butler County Sheriff Kenny Harden has announced that he will seek re-election for the Office of Sheriff of Butler County on the Democratic ticket in the upcoming June primary. Harden, who served as chief deputy with the Butler County Sheriff’s Department as well as investigator, is currently seeking a second term as Butler County’s highest elected law enforcement officer. Prior to his first term as sheriff, Harden served five years as deputy state fire marshal for the Alabama State Fire Marshals Office.

He has been involved in law enforcement at the local and state level for more than 31 years.

Sheriff Harden’s training and experience spans fields from community-oriented policing to homicide investigation, and working with legislators – both local and state – to establish needed changes to existing laws.

Harden said with the changes that have been made during his present term in office, he has continued to move the office forward for the betterment of Butler County.

“As I pledged in my first campaign, I have put an experienced staff in place, both in the sheriff’s office and the correctional facility and have ultimately saved the county taxpayers money, while keeping an open and honest relationship with the public,” Harden said. “Also during this administration, we have maintained an excellent working relationship with other law enforcement agencies in this county, to better serve the citizens that reside and work here. During this term we have re-established a work release program, and also a trash detail utilizing inmates to save the taxpayers of Butler County money in labor costs, while keeping the county’s roadways cleaner.”

Harden said through a good working relationship with the County Commission, he has been able to stay within the budget as approved, while establishing priorities regarding necessary expenditures to perform the duties of his office.

The sheriff said some other accomplishments he has made through his first term are:

– maintained an open-door policy,

– established a closer working relationship with the police departments of Greenville, Georgiana and McKenzie,

– patrol cars are marked and are clearly visible to the public,

– outdated equipment has been replaced to increase the safety of the deputies and the public,

– the county’s crime rate has been reduced by maintaining a full staff at all times,

– the opening of the new Butler County Correctional Facility established increased safety for inmates, staff and the public,

– the citizens have a renewed faith in the Butler County Sheriff’s Office.

Harden is married to the former Evelyn Farmer. They have four daughters and one son. Harden is a member of the South-Central Alabama Mental Health Board, the National Sheriffs Association, the Alabama Sheriffs Association, the National Association of Chiefs of Police, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Alabama Peace Officers Association, Board of Directors for the Liberty Volunteer Fire Department and Masonic Lodge.

He and his family attend church at Liberty Baptist Church.

“I promise to continue to serve the citizens of Butler County with all my heart and determination,” he said. “I have served the people of this county for a long time, and will continue to be a driving force in making Butler County a safer and better place to live. I would appreciate your continued support and your vote on June 1, 2010.”