[5] In 1954, the local politician Albert Patterson won the Democratic nomination for Alabama Attorney General on a platform of ridding the city of corruption and crime. There were 22,831 housing units, at an average density of 14/km2 (36/sq mi). Its name is in honor of Colonel Gilbert C. Russell, who fought in the wars against the Creek Indians. Russell County. [13] By 1954 the illegal economy in the city was worth $100 million a year. Fax: 334-291-7667. Russell County, AL foreclosure listings. Sheriff Sales are now Preforeclosures. This phonebook directory contains the physical address and contact information of the major government offices in Russell, including the Clerks Office, Sheriffs Office, and the Health Department. 1843 John S. Calhoun. During the trial, Dollar was called as a witness by the defense and told the jury that he and Watford had committed the assault together. Other county officials praised Martin's leadership and character. [4] The city police and county deputies also took part in the corruption. According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 647 square miles (1,680km2), of which 641 square miles (1,660km2) is land and 6.1 square miles (16km2) (0.9%) is water. Get an alert. They located a dead male in the parking lot of Candlewood Apartments. The racial makeup of the county was: 56.69% White, 40.84% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. We currently have 768 of the hottest foreclosure deals in Russell County, AL, of all prices, sizes and types, including bank-owned, government (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD, etc.) CountyOffice.org does not provide consumer reports and is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Nearly 1.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Web Accessibility. [7][8] In 1974, the New York Times noted that the campaign as very successful and led to a relatively-low crime rate in Phenix City for the 20 years since then.[9]. The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute those who cross the line to engage in acts of criminal misconduct., This case would not have been successful without the courage of the investigators, the witnesses and the victim, said George L. Beck Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. We uncovered 28 murders that had taken place in the previous four years, without even an indictment, much less a conviction. Russell County AL Sheriff. Third party advertisements support hosting, listing verification, updates, and site maintenance. Privacy Policy Taylor faced opposition 12 years ago but had no opponent in the last two elections. On January 31, at approximately 11:15 p.m., deputies were conducting area checks. 0:57. These tax foreclosed homes are available for pennies on the dollar - as much as 75 percent off full market price (and more)! [14] In theory, they were there to assist the local law enforcement, but he soon came to distrust them and suspect their involvement in illegal activities. These money-making opportunities can deliver huge savings on your next purchase. To search for an inmate in the Russell County Jail, find out their criminal charges, the amount of their bond, when they can get visits or even view their mugshot, go to the official Inmate Search Jail Roster, or call the jail at 334-298-8621 for the information you are looking for. [17], Two weeks after the implementation of martial law, the mayor of Phenix City was jailed for neglecting his duties, and the city was administered by a group of military personnel chosen by Hanna. The head of the RCSO is Sheriff Heath Taylor. Founded in 1998. According to all eye-witnesses, Dollar and Watford then began punching, kicking and slapping Harrington about his head and body, causing Harrington to suffer multiple lacerations, facial fractures and a ruptured eardrum. P. O. We currently have 737 of the hottest foreclosure deals in Russell County, AL, of all prices, sizes and types, including bank-owned, government (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD, etc.) The state of martial law was lifted on January 17, 1955. He was elected as the county's Chief Law Enforcement Officer in 1994 in record numbers by receiving the most votes ever in Pike County history. The county of Russell is 7.89% lower than the national average of 739.02 per 100,000 residents. Popularity:#13 of 100 Sheriff Departments in Alabama#383 in Sheriff Departments. August 27, 2024. Russell County trends Democratic in presidential elections; having last supported a Republican in 1972 when it voted for President Nixon. ", Kris Jordan, a Republican who represented Delaware County in the Ohio House, dies at 46, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. [26][27] One of the key eyewitnesses to the murder was stabbed to death after testifying in open court. [10] The county is located in the Gulf Coastal Plain region, with a few rolling hills due to its close proximity to the fall line of the eastern United States. Court Records. Lee County Sheriffs Department / Lee County Jail (Opelika, AL - 25.7 miles) Macon County Sheriffs Department / Macon County Detention Facility (Tuskegee, AL - 37.3 miles) Chambers County Sheriff's Office (La Fayette, AL - 38.7 miles) Chambers County Sheriffs . A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. However, it found its way into the public sphere and became the basis for Edwin Strickland and Gene Wortsman's 1955 book Phenix City: The Wickedest City in America. Watch these videos below for more details on how to purchase these properties. [27] In 1974, the New York Times described the campaign as highly successful and stated that it had led to 20 years of relatively-low crime in Phenix City. One of the issues that emerges in a look at Russell County pay is with the Sheriff's Office, which employs about 130 . We will be removing the Sheriff Sales category in the near future. The operation determined that city police and county deputies were watching the guard's movements and tipping off gangsters as to the timing and location of raids. . Don't overpay for your next home in Russell County, AL. Witnesses also confirmed that the attack was entirely unprovoked. The Sheriff's Office is responsible for patrolling any unincorporated areas of the county or areas not covered by the municipal Police force as well as enforcing legal judgments such as foreclosures, repossessions, and tax delinquencies. [4] The murder set off a series of events that led to Governor Gordon Persons declaring martial law in the county and city because of its lawlessness on July 22 that year. [7][8] Criminal elements even took seats on the chamber of commerce and school and hospital boards. Information found on CountyOffice.org is strictly for informational purposes and does not construe legal, financial or medical advice. A Russell County, Al active arrest warrant, while indeed not a verdict, sure does indicate that there is strong evidence with the police to implicate you for the crime. However, due to being minors, their names will not be released. UPDATE 9:22 a.m. Sept. 28, 2022: The Russell County School District has responded to WRBL with the following statement: The children are not back at school. 1840 Benjamin H. Baker. In 2020, he served on the Board of Directors for the National Sheriffs Association. [9] Jury selection was rigged with many deceased residents remaining on the lists; if called to serve their places were taken by criminals. The students will face a judge in October. [10], Ahead of the 1954 elections for the Attorney General of Alabama, Phenix City resident and lawyer Albert Patterson ran a campaign for the Democratic Party nomination on a platform of ridding the city of crime. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Much of the time, it was cheaper - and safer - to kill people than to buy 'em, because dead people stay dead."[17]. [10], Despite widespread illegal lotteries being exposed in the 1938 Ritz Caf disaster during which 24 people were killed after a gambling house collapsed, the state governor refused to intervene. The Russell County Sheriffs Department, located in Phenix, Alabama, is a law enforcement agency that promotes public safety in Russell County through public policing and the management of county jails and inmates. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. The county, particularly Phenix City, had become lawless, and Persons lost faith in the local law enforcement, which had been implicated in illegal gambling syndicates, political corruption, and the murder of Albert Patterson, the Democratic Party's nominee for Attorney General of Alabama. [30] The incident was then the only instance of martial law being declared in a US city since the Reconstruction era that was not for reasons of civil unrest or natural disaster. Departments with higher scores use less force, make fewer arrests for low level . On Russell County Sheriff's Department dash cam video, obtained by News Leader 9, the deputy that first responds to Forrest "Butch" Bowyer, with his throat cut and bloodied, is overheard saying . In mid-August, Dollar pleaded guilty under an agreement that capped his sentence at 57 months. Watford then took the stand and admitted slapping the handcuffed man twice in the face. After an investigation by the state's acting Attorney General, Russell County's chief deputy sheriff was convicted for the murder of Patterson, whose son, John Malcolm Patterson, was later elected Attorney General and then governor. Taylor qualified Tues Also in 2020, Taylor was named the Alabama Sheriff of the Year. Many of these men were also members of the Ku Klux Klan who held an annual torchlight parade and cross-burning in the city. [33], The Phenix City Civil Disturbance Medal was awarded to civilian and military personnel for service from June 18, 1954 to January 17, 1955 and was awarded to approximately 600 national guardsmen. Third party advertisements support hosting, listing verification, updates, and site maintenance. The sheriff oversees the county's law enforcement department, including deputies and administrative . You can use your mouse wheel to zoom in or out of map. Columbus police searching for missing 14-year-old, last seen near Caspian Dr. He wasre-elected in 2016 and 2020. shamberger, shawn . Contact the Sheriff's Office at (334) 298-6535 for information pertaining to warrants and criminal investigations (for victims only) Call the Phenix City Municipal Court . August 22, 2023. Coordinates: 321712N 851138W / 32.28667N 85.19389W / 32.28667; -85.19389. While he did not elaborate on his future, Martin did indicate that he'll remain active and is not ready to retire to a beach or retirement community. PHENIX CITY, Ala. (WRBL) Qualifying for the 2022 election in Alabama is open for Democrats and Russell County Sheriff Heath Taylor wasted no time filing the paperwork. 305 Prentiss Drive Phenix City, AL 36869 Phone: (334) 298-6535. . A Warrant lookup checks Russell County public records to determine whether any active warrants have been issued for a particular person. Russell County is a county in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Alabama.As of the 2020 census, the population was 59,183. As they had no legal authority, the force was unable to access private clubs or rooms or to make arrests. By signing up for property alerts, I have read the Terms and Conditions of Service and agree to receive emails from Foreclosure.com. [29], During his election campaign, Patterson had claimed it might take ten years to rid Phenix City of its lawlessness. By an official army estimate some 80% of the soldiers visited Phenix City and more than half of their pay was spent there. [5] The three-man city commission was in league with the local crime lords who ran the liquor, gambling and prostitution rackets. For every 100 females, there were 91.00 males. He was re-elected in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. 53.7% were White, 41.8% Black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.4% Native American, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 1.3% of some other race and 2.1% of two or more races. . Alert me about homes in When the officers arrived, Dollar and Watford approached Harrington, who was lying handcuffed on the ground and offering no resistance. WASHINGTON A federal jury in Opelika, Ala., has convicted a former deputy sheriff with the Russell County, Ala., Sheriffs Office of a civil rights offense for his role in the assault of a handcuffed man, announced the Department of Justice. [24] As part of the operation, Phenix City was declared off-limits to US Army personnel stationed at Fort Benning, and additional military police were stationed on the 14th Street and Dillingham Bridges to prevent a breach of that order. [14] Despite having been reluctant to intervene in Russell County's lawlessness Persons immediately ordered the state-controlled Alabama Highway Patrol into the city. For questions concerning our sex offender community awareness program, please contact: Russell County AL Sheriff's Office. You can contact the Russell County Sheriffs Department in several ways: you can visit the offices at 305 Prentiss Drive, Phenix Alabama 36869 or call 334-298-6535 for inquiries. [24][25], With the state Attorney General Si Garrett having checked himself into a mental hospital after being twice questioned over election fraud, the investigation into Patterson's murder and other major crimes in the city was carried out by acting Attorney General Bernard Sykes Jr. with a staff of civilian investigators and attorneys. Russell County Mugs Russell County Court House Center For Missing Children Child ID Program I SAFE Schools. 14%. . Remember, we update our listings often so be sure to check back daily! Safety starts with understanding how developers collect and share your data. Tel: 334-298-6535. get driving directions from your location, Lee County Sheriffs Department / Lee County Jail, Macon County Sheriffs Department / Macon County Detention Facility, Chambers County Sheriffs Department / Chambers County Jail, Alabama State Trial Court Records - Russell County, Visiting and contacting Russell County inmates. In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.50% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% who were 65 years of age or older. While it is always difficult to prosecute a member of our law enforcement community, my office is dedicated to seeking justice for all.. The median income for a household in the county was $27,492, and the median income for a family was $34,004. Russell Crousore 59, who resides at 11 Cactus Cir. 1834 George Elliott. that match this search. [21] On July 24, Hanna ordered three days of raids on gambling establishments and gathered almost 500 indictments for a newly-reformed grand jury. All three officers had been off-duty attending a party at Dollars house. Post Office Box 640, Phenix City, Alabama, 36868-0640. The state of martial law was rescinded on January 17, 1955, with Russell County and Phenix City both returning to civilian control. Russell County Sheriff's Office Sheriff Heath Taylor Emergencies Dial 911 305 Prentiss Drive Phenix City, AL 36869 Phone 334-298-6535. In 1916 the Alabama state attorney general Logan Martin intervened, sending armed deputies to the city and appointing a special prosecutor to take charge. Enjoy the pride of homeownership for less than it costs to rent before it's too late. Russell County is a county in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Alabama. Russell County Emergency President Bush came within 38 votes of carrying the county in 2004. Find My Report For Me. Martin, 65, was appointed sheriff in June 2012, was elected later that year and served for nearly 11 years. Many listings on Foreclosure.com are not found anywhere else. City of Opelika Special Municipal Election. August 5, 2025. When law enforcement officers abuse their power and violate the civil rights of those in their custody, they will be held accountable, said Thomas E. 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