Needham running for Shelby County Sheriff

Candidate Rick Needham is seeking to pursue his goal of being named the new Shelby County Sheriff.

Needham grew up with a father who was in the group of first UDT's that would later become the Navy SEALS, and he was a lieutenant on the Birmingham police force and helped start and organize the SWAT team. After serving as police chief of Montevallo, Needham's father retired after 17 years of service.

This police family's roots were planted in Shelby County, and as a long-term resident, Needham said he felt a calling to serve the people of the place where he grew up. 

Needham attended Auburn University, where he played football for coach Pat Dye and learned to read the scripture and study the word of God through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He said his time at Auburn was instrumental in forming his character and dedication to his family and community.

After his time at Auburn, Needham attended the Montgomery Police Academy and then worked for the Auburn police department. He began his corporate investigative agency while also serving the City of Montevallo as a reserve officer.

Needham has served as CEO and director of investigations for the past 22 years at agencies nationwide. He is also a member of the Constitutional Sheriff's and Peace Officers Association.

His plans for bettering Shelby County involve school safety, drug use and the second amendment.

Needham said criminals will no longer be given a gun-free zone to harm and threaten children. He plans to have armed personnel on school grounds in the form of school officials being trained and educated on gun safety as well as how to deal with threats on school property.

He seeks to eliminate living in a place where you can buy drugs from your next-door neighbor. Needham said he plans to tackle the larger problem in this arena by going after the dealers and not just the users, and he plans to use the full force of the law to eliminate the dealers from the county. 

Needham has also taken an oath to defend second amendment rights and to never confiscate or register firearms in Shelby county.

For more information about Needham, visit RickNeedham.com.