UPDATE: Community Reaction to the Death of Autauga County Sheriff Joe Sedinger

Autauga County Sheriff Joe Sedinger has died after a brief battle with cancer. The sheriff’s office announced his death Monday night on Facebook.

Sedinger was just re-elected to a third term in November. He had been with the sheriff’s office for nearly 30 years, starting as a reserve deputy and working his way up.

The Alabama Sheriffs Association has released a statement, saying, “Today, our hearts are heavy with the passing of one of our beloved and distinguished brothers. Autauga County Sheriff Joe Sedinger was a great law enforcement officer and an even better man. He epitomized what every man and every law enforcement officer should be – forthright, fearless, honorable,
loyal and kind. The members of the Alabama Sheriffs Association and the entire law enforcement community will miss him terribly both personally and professionally and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, his family and to the citizens of Autauga County for their loss.”

Autauga County Sheriff Joe Sedinger

Hal Taylor, the secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, says, ““It is a solemn day among the entire law enforcement community within Alabama as we all mourn the tragic and heartbreaking loss of Sheriff Sedinger. On behalf of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sheriff Sedinger. He was a true professional and his dedication to serve the public will always be remembered. We recognize this is a devastating time for the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office as well as the entire community, which Sheriff Sedinger so faithfully served. As we continue to mourn alongside the law enforcement community, we also pray for Sheriff Sedinger’s family as they attempt to manage and cope with this terrible loss. Sheriff Sedinger’s courage, resolve and never-ending bravery will continue to live on and provide us all with an example of a courageous servant’s heart. Along with sharing our sincerest condolences, we pledge to make all resources available to the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office as well as the surrounding community as they grieve this unfortunate and heartbreaking situation.”

By state law, Autauga County Coroner Buster Barber takes over as sheriff until the governor decides how to handle the choosing of a new sheriff.