Following the announcement that Baldwin County Sheriff Huey "Hoss" Mack is leaving his post, District 2 Commissioner Matt McKenzie announced his intentions to apply for interim sheriff.
Mack will take the position of executive director of the Alabama Sheriff's Association sometime in the late summer or early fall. At that time, Gov. Kay Ivey will appoint a new interim sheriff to take over until the end of the current term in 2026.
McKenzie said that, as a United States Marine veteran, he wants to inspire others and offer opportunities to veterans.
"I want to bring a fresh start to the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office," McKenzie said. "I want to bring excitement and energy to the younger guys just starting out in the law enforcement journey. I want to provide additional career enhancement avenues for our veteran officers."
Over the past few months, McKenzie has been developing a plan for a leadership transition.
"I had heard months ago that Sheriff Mack may have a great job opportunity offered to him for his next chapter in life," he said. "Since then, I have quietly been building a Senior Law Enforcement Leadership Transition Team from former and current Baldwin County Sheriff's Deputies that have held high levels of leadership roles within the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office, as well as Senior Leadership from former heads of other local law enforcement agencies."
As a commissioner for two years, McKenzie said he has established a relationship with local law enforcement.
"I believe with the leadership we currently have in place at the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office and those I intend to bring in with my transition team that the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office will not miss a beat in daily law enforcement services," McKenzie added. "I am excited to get to work with all the employees within the office of the sheriff, and I look forward to this application process of Governor Ivey's."
In addition to his time in the Marines, McKenzie retired from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, where he served as post commander of the Driver License Office in Mobile, where he oversaw offices in Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia, Washington, Clarke, Choctaw, Monroe, Butler and Conecuh Counties. As a state trooper, he was a part of the first Alabama 287 G Program class, the Immigration Deportation Partner with the state of Alabama and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
"I hope Governor Ivey will feel confident in my 25 years of service in law enforcement, my service in the United States military, my experience that I bring as a Baldwin County elected official and supports my vision to lead Baldwin County in the interim until the next Sheriff election in 2026," McKenzie continued.
McKenzie, his wife, Cristie, an educator and their two daughters live in the Barnwell community, where McKenzie grew up.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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