Oliver: Passion to serve community as Sheriff ‘stronger than ever’

Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver announced recently he will seek a fifth term serving Franklin County citizens as sheriff.

Oliver faces opposition from law enforcement veteran Brian “Spanky” Shackelford in the May 19, 2026, Republican Primary. No Democrat qualified to run for Sheriff, so the May 19th primary will serve as the de facto election.

Oliver has served as Franklin County Sheriff the past 15 years and has more than 31 years of experience in law enforcement. 

A lifelong Franklin County resident, Oliver said his passion to work daily to better serve his community remains as strong as it was when his law enforcement career began.

“We have made progress in moving law enforcement forward through a team effort and I’ve always had an open door policy when it comes to being accessible to the citizens of Franklin County, and that won’t ever change,” Oliver said.

“Our efforts to modernize the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office remains a priority and with today’s advances in technology and equipment, it’s more important than ever to continue to make those steps forward,” Oliver added.

Oliver was hired at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office in 1993, but left in 2005 to accept an officer position with the Russellville Police Department, where he remained until his election in 2011 to the office of Sheriff.

While both Oliver and Shackelford have extensive law enforcement experience, Oliver believes his experience with the FCSO and as sheriff give him a stronger foundation to serve citizens in the next four years.

Of particular importance to Oliver when he was first elected was expanding the number of School Resource Officers working at Franklin County Schools. Through a team effort with the Franklin County Board of Education, the number of SROs assigned to Franklin County Schools has grown, with officers on the campuses of Tharptown, Belgreen, Phil Campbell and Vina, and Oliver hopes to add a full-time SRO at East Franklin Junior High School in his next term. The Red Bay Police Department provides the SRO for Red Bay School.

“It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Franklin County as Sheriff since 2011 and I would again be honored to have your vote in the May 19th Republican Primary,” Oliver said.

Polls will be open Tuesday, May 19th from 7am-7pm.