Sheriff Jay Jones cites public safety in firing of deputy turned political opponent

LEE COUNTY, Ala. (WRBL) — The race for Lee County Sheriff is off to a tense start — one deputy turned candidate, one sheriff defending his decision to fire him, and a debate over how loyalty within the Sherif’s Office impacts public safety.

Former Deputy Cam Hunt, a Marine Corps veteran and Lee County native, says he was dismissed shortly after an October 21 meeting where he informed Sheriff Jay Jones he planned to run for sheriff. Hunt posted his October 21 termination letter on his campaign’s Facebook page, drawing public attention to the decision. 

Sheriff Jones responded Monday to WRBL, with his first public comments on the matter, saying Hunt had the opportunity to resign before starting his campaign but chose not to. Jones said the decision was made to maintain unity within the department and protect public safety.

“Former Deputy Hunt informed me of his intentions to qualify as a candidate for Lee County Sheriff this past Tuesday. Based on recent events, it is clear that he had been planning a campaign prior to our meeting. He could have chosen to resign before starting his campaign and his resignation would have been accepted. He chose not to do so. As a result, his employment was terminated.

Having an employee actively seeking to challenge the leadership of an organization has a high probability of creating dissention and loss of team unity within the organization. In the case of a law enforcement agency, the primary mission of providing for the safety of the public would be adversely affected. The people of Lee County deserve to have dedicated and caring professionals working as a team in their Sheriff’s Office. The constitution of the State of Alabama designates Sheriffs as constitutional officers and they are at-will employers.”

When longtime Lee County Sheriff Herman Chapman announced his retirement in 1998, Jones, then serving within the Sheriff’s Office, declared his candidacy to succeed him. Jones was not running against Chapman — in fact, Chapman publicly endorsed him as his successor. Jones went on to win the election and took office in January 1999.

Hunt, meanwhile, says the firing was political and sends the wrong message about accountability and fairness in local government.

“No one should ever be threatened or fired for exercising their rights as private citizens,” Hunt said. “Under my leadership, deputies and citizens alike will know their voices and rights are secure. Justice, liberty, and accountability will not just be words on a page. They will be the principles that guide every decision I make as Sheriff of Lee County.”

Under Alabama law, sheriffs are constitutional officers, and their deputies generally serve “at the pleasure of the sheriff.” Sheriffs have broad discretion to hire or terminate deputies — including those pursuing political office — unless a local merit or civil-service system is in place.

Federal courts have consistently upheld this practice, finding loyalty is essential within a sheriff’s office because deputies must work in close coordination with the sheriff to uphold law and public safety.

In Terry v. Cook, 866 F.2d 373 (11th Cir. 1989), the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled political loyalty is a valid job requirement for deputies, explaining that a sheriff is entitled to staff who share his goals and can be trusted to carry out his policies. That reasoning has been reaffirmed in later cases, including Cutcliffe v. Cochran (1997), Silva v. Bieluch (2003), and Ezell v. Darr (2015).

The Alabama Supreme Court reached a similar conclusion in Fowler v. Johnson, 961 So.2d 122 (Ala. 2006), noting that only deputies protected by a local merit system must be terminated through formal procedures. Lee County does not operate under a merit system, meaning deputies there are at-will employees.

Sheriff Jones, who has served since 1998, plans to seek another term in the May 19, 2026, Republican primary. He began his law enforcement career with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office in 1975 while attending Auburn University and has served in nearly every division of the department. Jones was named Alabama Sheriff of the Year in 2018 for his leadership and dedication to public service.

Hunt, who holds a degree in Political Science from Auburn University and previously served as a Marine Corps Captain, says he intends to continue his campaign. After returning to Lee County, he joined the Opelika Police Department before later serving with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office until his dismissal.

Candidate qualifying for the Republican primary is expected to open in early 2026, ahead of the May 19 election. The winner will advance to the November 3, 2026, general election.