SherifF Horton's Biography

I, Sheriff Jonathon W. Horton, was born at the Holy Name of Jesus Hospital, now Riverview Regional, and reared in Etowah County, where I have lived my entire life, except for my time deployed serving our Country in the United States Navy after graduation from West End High School in 1991.  Since graduating High School I have served continuously my Country, State and Community.

My career in Law Enforcement began at the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office in 2002, in the same year I graduated from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Academy, Class VII.  While at the Sheriff’s Office, as a Deputy, I served as a Patrol Deputy, Criminal Investigator, Evidence Technician, Crime Scene Investigator and Narcotics Agent as an original member of the Etowah County Drug Enforcement Unit, where I now serve as a board member.

I became the Assistant Chief of Police at The City of Glencoe in October of 2011 and was appointed Chief of Police for the City of Glencoe in February 2012 and served as Chief of Police of Glencoe until March of 2016 at which time I was hired as Deputy Chief of Police of the Rainbow City Police Department, where I was later appointed as Chief of Police in Rainbow City in May of 2016 and served until Elected Sheriff of Etowah County in 2018 and began proudly serving as Etowah County’s 31st Sheriff in January of 2019. 

I am an Honorable Veteran of the U.S. Navy and Alabama Army National Guard.  I served my country in the U.S. Navy from 1992 until 1996 as an Aviation Electronics Technician stationed at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, CA.  After receiving an Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Navy, I returned home to Etowah County and went to work for my father in the family-owned funeral business at Village Chapel Funeral Home. After receiving Funeral Director Licensing in 1998, I missed serving in the Armed Forces, in 1999 I enlisted in the Alabama Army National Guard as a member of the 152nd Armor Division and later 258th Chemical Company, Gadsden, AL and served until 2003. 

I have served the Community as a Licensed Funeral Director in the State of Alabama since 1998 and currently practice part-time at Glencoe-Hokes Bluff Funeral Home which, until 2020 was my Family’s Business.  I began, owned and operated Mortuary Transport Services from 2007-2012.  I also have had the pleasure of being an active participant in many civic organizations and have held offices to include being a Member of Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police (AACOP), Past President of the Alabama City Lions Club, Past Chairman of Alabama City Merchants Association and Past Chairman of the Clayton Cemetery Committee.   

I currently serve on various Boards to include the Etowah County Drug Enforcement Unit Board, Etowah County Community Corrections Board, Etowah County E-911 Board and the S.P.A.N. (Special Programming and Networking) Advisory Board. I earned an associate degree in Criminal Justice from Gadsden State Community College in 2007, majoring in Criminal Justice.  I am a Certified Arson Investigator and Evidence Property Technician and in addition have completed extensive training in courses to include Narcotics, Criminal Investigations, Homicide and Death Investigations. I have attended several Leadership and Management Courses to include a certificate from SLEDS (Southern Leadership Executive Development Seminar) Session 29 in Florence, AL.  I have also obtained a “160-hour certificate" from the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police in the Executive Program as an Advanced Certified Law Enforcement Officer.  I was a candidate on the Republican ticket for Etowah County Coroner in 1998.  I attended the National Sheriff's Institute at the FBI academy in Quantico, VA and completed coursed in Leadership and Jail Management.  

I and my Wife of 35 years, Angie Holcomb Horton currently are members of Summit Church in Rainbow City.  We have three Daughters: Hannah (Issac) Gunn, Lora (Nick) Hill, and Jonah (Jacob) Bobo and Five beautiful grandchildren, Aiden and Emma Gunn; Maura and Jonathon Allen Hill; and Jubal Mac Bobo.

I am seeking a consecutive, third term of office as the Etowah County Sheriff to continue my proven proficiency.  Under my Leadership, with the help of many talented Deputies serving in various positions, we want to continue to invest in our youth while protecting our Constitutional Rights and Freedoms, that many have paid a Great Price for. I have devoted my lifetime of service to my God, Family and Country.   Please join us to keep Etowah County Safe and re-elect me as Your Sheriff on May 19, 2026.

 Your Sheriff, 

Sheriff Jonathon W. Horton