Oliver, Shackelford qualify for sheriff
RUSSELLVILLE – Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver will have to hit the campaign trail to seek a fifth term this year.
Oliver, a Republican and Franklin County native, qualified in the race on Jan. 6, while fellow Republican Brian “Spanky” Shackelford qualified to seek the sheriff’s post two days later.
Oliver and Shackleford are the only two who have qualified so far in the sheriff’s race. Qualifying ends on Jan. 23.
The primary election will be held on May 19.
“I feel at my age (50), I’ve got a lot of good years left to serve the people of Franklin County,” Oliver said. “There’s still more I want to see accomplished, including modernizing the sheriff’s office by taking advantage of the advances in technology within law enforcement.”
Oliver and Shackleford share a similar start in law enforcement. Both were jailers and dispatchers. Oliver started in 1993 with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, while Shackleford started in 1995 with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
Brian Shackleford
The similarities in their law enforcement path ended there until their paths crossed in 2005.
Oliver remained within the sheriff’s office after being hired as a deputy in 1996 until 2005, when he was hired at the Russellville Police Department. He worked within the department until 2011, when he was elected sheriff.
Shackleford remained with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office for 2½ years and then moved into Franklin County to work for the Phil Campbell Police Department for two years. He later joined the Russellville Police Department in 1997 to serve 25 years before retiring.
“Currently, I’ve been driving a dump truck locally but driving that truck all by myself – that’s not me,” Shackleford said. “For years running for sheriff had always been in the back of my mind, but I had not acted on it. After time has gone by, I finally decided that I would give it a run and see where it goes.”
Shackleford, 51, has worn other hats within public service. He served 15 years as a Bear Creek Development Authority park ranger, 20-plus years with the Franklin County Dive Team, and 30 years as an emergency medical technician.
“If I’m not active, I’m bored,” he said.
Oliver said running a sheriff’s office is much like running a business.
“The sheriff’s job, itself, hasn’t changed a whole lot,” he said. “There’s a lot of responsibility there, not only on the criminal side, but the civil side. You have to meet the needs of the people and there are many wheels turning at one time [within the sheriff’s office]. Good people make a sheriff’s office successful, and I feel we’ve got some of the best here who make the wheels turn pretty smoothly.”
Shackleford admitted he and Oliver are similar “in a lot of ways.” Shackleford said they are both people-oriented and willing to serve the residents in the county.
“My strongest point, though, is I’m more motivated,” Shackleford added. “I don’t sit still. I’m 90 mph everywhere I go.”
Oliver said the difference between he and his opponent is experience.
“Again, this job isn’t something you come in on day one and run with it. It takes experience and I am dedicated,” he said. “I love my job and the people in the county.”
