- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Montgomery County Sheriff Derrick Cunningham Named National Sheriff of the Year
The award recognizes one outstanding leader each year among more than 3,000 sheriffs nationwide.
Feb. 5, 2026 at 9:07pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Montgomery County Sheriff Derrick Cunningham has been named the National Sheriffs' Association Sheriff of the Year for 2026, the Alabama Sheriff's Association announced. Cunningham has made a lasting impact on the Montgomery community through safety initiatives and public engagement while meeting high standards of professionalism and service.
Why it matters
The National Sheriff of the Year award is a prestigious honor that highlights exceptional leadership and service among the thousands of sheriffs across the United States. Cunningham's recognition underscores the positive impact he has had on public safety and community relations in Montgomery County.
The details
Cunningham is a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy Class 231 and served 24 years in the Alabama National Guard. He was sworn in as Montgomery County's 39th sheriff- and first Black sheriff- in Jan. 2015. The Alabama Sheriff's Association cited Cunningham's lasting impact on the Montgomery community through safety initiatives and public engagement while meeting high standards of professionalism and service.
- Cunningham was sworn in as Montgomery County's 39th sheriff in January 2015.
- Cunningham was named the National Sheriffs' Association Sheriff of the Year for 2026 on February 6, 2026.
The players
Derrick Cunningham
The Montgomery County Sheriff who was named the National Sheriffs' Association Sheriff of the Year for 2026.
Alabama Sheriff's Association
The organization that announced Cunningham as the recipient of the National Sheriff of the Year award.
The takeaway
Sheriff Cunningham's recognition as National Sheriff of the Year highlights his exceptional leadership and commitment to public safety and community engagement in Montgomery County. His award underscores the positive impact that dedicated law enforcement professionals can have on the communities they serve.
