Special Events
CITIZENS ACADEMY 2024
Please note that the application process for the Sheriff's Citizen's Academy, scheduled for April 2, 2024, to May 7, 2024, is now closed. We appreciate your interest in our academy and would like to inform you that we will schedule another in the fall.
The Madison County Sheriff's Office is now accepting applications for the upcoming Citizens Sheriff's Academy. This program is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the inner workings and operations of the MCSO through several unique experiences. The Citizens Sheriff's Academy aims to offer participants an in-depth insight into the organization's day-to-day activities, policies, and procedures. It is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement or who wish to better understand the criminal justice system.
The Academy is open to all members of the community on a first-come, first-served basis, provided they meet the eligibility criteria and are willing to commit to the program's requirements. Interested individuals are encouraged to submit their applications at their earliest convenience to secure a spot in the upcoming cohort.
The program provides a comprehensive understanding of various specialized divisions, including the Crime Scene Unit, Traffic Safety Unit, K9, Jail Facility, Patrol Division, School Resource Officers (SRO), Criminal Investigations Division, Street Crimes Unit (SCU), and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT). Participants will receive valuable insights from law enforcement officers, investigators, recruiting and training staff, the District Attorney's Office, and forensics team members. Attendees will be provided with an opportunity to gain knowledge and expertise in these diverse areas of law enforcement.
This year's Academy is scheduled to take place each Tuesday from April 2, 2024, through May 7, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Sheriff's Training Facility located at 5827 Oakwood Rd NW, Huntsville, AL 35806. Individuals from Madison County and the surrounding areas are invited to apply. However, Madison County residents and first-time attendees will be given first-priority registration. Due to limited class sizes, we ask that registrants commit to attending.
The program is free, and class sizes are limited. Please note that in order to apply for the Academy, it is necessary to download the application and waiver form from our official website at MCSO Citizens Academy Online Application. Completed forms can be electronically submitted, printed, or emailed to bpatterson@madisoncountyal.gov, or submitted in person at the Madison County Sheriff's Office Investigation Division, 715 Wheeler Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35801.
It is important to remember that all applicants must submit an application and undergo a criminal background check. Those with a felony arrest record are ineligible to attend the Academy. Finally, please be aware that this course has the potential to attract media interest, and news outlets may attend.
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Minimum age of 21 years
- Pass a basic background check
- No prior felony convictions
- No misdemeanor arrests in the past 12 months
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Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Day
1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. Each year in Washington DC at the Capitol, Law Enforcement Officers worldwide attend the National Memorial. Alabama’s State Memorial is always the first Friday in May at 1100 a.m. at the State Capitol. In Madison County, the Local Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, May 8th, at 6:30 p.m. The TL Blakemore Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #6 hosts the memorial, and Law Enforcement Agencies from across Madison County participate to honor the twenty-two law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty since the County was established in 1808. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.
ALABAMA LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN
for SPECIAL OLYMPICS
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office has been a proud supporter of Special Olympics for many years, when they began their involvement by participating in the Law Enforcement’s “Torch Run.”
In 1981, Chief Richard LaMunyon of the Wichita, Kansas Police Department created the Law Enforcement Torch Run to involve his officers in the community by running a torch relay for their local Special Olympics. Police Chief LaMunyon realized the importance of Special Olympics in the lives of Special Olympics athletes and conceived the idea to have law enforcement personnel obtain pledges from their family, friends, and co-workers for a Torch Run, known as the “Flame of Hope.” The first Torch Run involved six officers, and they raised no money.
Today, the Torch Run has grown to include more than 150 runs in 50 nations. Since its inception 34 years ago, more than 150,000 law enforcement officers have raised $650 million worldwide for the Special Olympics movement. The Torch Run has become the largest grassroots fundraiser for Special Olympics.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics unites officers from law enforcement agencies and corrections departments nationwide to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Alabama. It is an actual running event where law enforcement and athletes run the “Flame of Hope” to the Opening Ceremonies of local Special Olympics competitions, State Games, and National Summer or Winter Games. As part of the Opening Ceremonies, a law enforcement participant passes the Torch to a Special Olympics athlete to light the flame that signals the Games' opening. The Torch Run's fundraising efforts include collecting corporate sponsorships, T-shirt and hat donations, and hosting unique fundraising events such as building sits, polar plunges, golf tournaments, and waiting tables at local restaurants for tips. Each summer, law enforcement officials carry the “Flame of Hope” across the State of Alabama in The Torch Run Final Leg, culminating in the cauldron lighting to officially open the Special Olympics Alabama Summer Games in Troy, Alabama. The nearly 1000-mile, 4-day Torch Run Relay involves more than 2,000 law enforcement officers and personnel representing more than 200 law enforcement agencies across Alabama.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a nationwide event and is the largest grassroots fundraiser for Special Olympics. Law Enforcement Officers throughout Alabama will participate in running the Flame of Hope in Madison County to open the Special Olympics Summer Games.
Christmas Prayers with a COP
Each year, ten families from Madison County are selected to be recipients of Target Gift Cards for Christmas. TL Blakemore Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #6, WAY-FM radio station, Inside-Out Ministries, and Target in Jones Valley sponsor the event. As families arrive, they are greeted by Deputies from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and Officers from the Huntsville Police Department. Then, the deputies and officers care for the families' children by playing games and coloring in books so the families may shop for Christmas Gifts or family needs. Chaplains and command staff also participate in the event, assisting in the care of the children. Families selected, for one reason or another, may have had an occurrence during the past year that created a financial burden. Nominations are made through WAY-FM Radio and vetted and selected by Inside-Out Ministries. The FOP provides the funds for the gift cards.
COPS ON TOP
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is proud to be a part of the annual Law Enforcement Special Olympics “Cops on Top” fundraiser for Special Olympics. Held at a local Wal-Mart, law enforcement officers and volunteers from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office participate in a weekend-long event selling t-shirts and taking donations for Special Olympics. At the 2018 “Cops on Top” event, we raised over $12,500 from supporters within our community in three days. This is the first Special Olympics fundraiser of the year that we conduct, and it leads us into the Torch Run that is usually held in May. Special Olympics personnel from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office start selling the annual Torch Run t-shirts as early as March, and inquiries can be made by contacting us by email or telephone.
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TIP-A-COP RED ROBIN
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is honored to participate in the annual “Tip a Cop” fundraiser sponsored by Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and the Alabama Law Enforcement Special Olympics. Held annually, law enforcement officers and volunteers from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office assemble at both Red Robin locations within Madison County to raise money for Special Olympics. Working alongside Red Robin personnel, deputies deliver and refill non-alcoholic drinks for customers and then provide them with a form to “Tip a Cop.” All donations are separate from the tips to Red Robin personnel and go directly to Special Olympics. We also sell the annual Torch Run t-shirts during this fundraiser. Last year, we were able to raise over $1,300! This event is usually held in October; this year’s dates will be announced closer to time.
SHOP WITH A HERO
Each December, "Shop With a Hero" teams up with participating Walmart stores to provide Christmas for "at-risk" children in our Huntsville-Madison County school systems. "Heroes" will be paired with a child and given a gift card to shop at Walmart. "Heroes" are all military personnel (active and veterans), law enforcement officers, firefighters, med flights, HEMSI, educators, doctors, and nurses.