Jay Jones

Sheriff Jones began his law-enforcement career with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office in 1975 while a student at Auburn University.

His first work assignment was in the jail as a corrections officer/communications operator and was later appointed to a road position as a sworn deputy sheriff. He has experienced all aspects of the operations of the Sheriff’s Office, moving up in the ranks through the years and was eventually appointed as the Sheriff’s Office Chief Investigator in command of the Investigations Division.

Sheriff Jones was first elected Lee County Sheriff in 1998 and is currently serving his fifth term. His educational background includes a BS degree in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration from Auburn University in 1976 and an MS degree in Administration from Troy State University in 1980.

Sheriff Jones’ professional education and training include the FBI National Academy (146th session), FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar (58th session), National Sheriff’s Institute (Class 00-1), Southern Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar (1999), and the United States Secret Service Dignitary Protection Seminar (2003).

His professional affiliations include serving as a governor’s appointee to the Advisory Committee on Women in Criminal Justice, the Alabama Crime Victim’s Compensation Commission, the Alabama Local Government Records Commission and the Alabama Peace Officers Annuity and Benefit Fund board.

He currently serves as a board member for the Lee County Youth Development Center, the Bennie Adkins Foundation, the Opelika Chamber of Commerce and the Lee County Emergency Communications District.

Sheriff Jones’ professional memberships include the FBI National Academy Associates, the Police Futurists International, the National Sheriff’s Association, the Alabama Sheriff’s Association, the Law Enforcement Executive Development Association, the Alabama Jail Association, the Alabama Peace Officers’ Association and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #21.

Sheriff Jones’ civic involvement includes membership in the Auburn Rotary Club and the Bleecker Ruritan Club.

Along with his public safety duties Sheriff Jones has also served as an adjunct instructor of Criminal Justice at Auburn University and Southern Union Community College in Opelika, AL.