Captain Russell Bedsole began is his law enforcement career in 1998 in Lee County, AL before joining the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office in 1999. With over 20 years of law enforcement experience, Russell has served as a Narcotics K9 handler and as a Criminal Investigator before earning his first promotion in 2011. As a Sergeant, Russell worked for over two years in the Administration Division where he was responsible for the launch of the agency’s first social media platforms. This launch was a huge step toward an increase in citizen engagement for the Sheriff’s Office. After spending some time assigned to the Patrol Division as a Sergeant, Russell was promoted in January of 2015 by Sheriff Samaniego to the rank of Lieutenant and assigned to the Corrections Division as the Assistant Division Commander. After 3 and half years in this role, he received his most recent promotion to Captain and moved into the role of Corrections Division Commander.
Russell is a native of Montgomery, AL and is a 1998 graduate of Auburn University. In 2005 Russell was awarded his Masters of Science in Public Administration from Troy University.
Outside of his responsibilities serving the citizens of Shelby County, Captain Bedsole makes regular trips to Migori, Kenya where he serves on the ground with an international missions organization as well as stateside on their Board of Directors. Russell is a current member of the Alabaster City Council and a Past President of the Shelby County Fraternal Order of Police.