Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond is 75 years old but carries out his duties with the passion, energy and vision of a much younger man. While we don’t blame him for declaring Thursday he will retire at the end of his third full term in 2022, we hope whoever follows him will bring the same attributes to the job.
Although he had run unsuccessfully for sheriff in two previous races, it was the 2008 resignation of Sheriff Billy Long after pleading guilty to federal gun, drug, extortion and money laundering charges that finally offered him an opening.
Hammond, after running twice as a Democrat, secured the nomination of the Republican Party, having changed his allegiance several years earlier, for an August 2008 special election. In that election, he easily defeated Hamilton County Commissioner Greg Beck.
Though the sheriff has done a number of commendable things in his position, such as gaining accreditations for the department, pushing for better educational standards and higher salaries, and shepherding a drive for enhanced facilities at Silverdale Detention Center (which could become the county jail), we believe one of the most positive steps he has taken is his campaign to move those arrested with mental health problems out of the population with other offenders.
It’s still a work in progress, but Hammond recognized earlier than many in his profession that continued jailing did little to help those who have chronic mental troubles but wound up any jail because there were no other solutions.
It is, we believe, his variety of law enforcement and personal experiences (including rescuing individuals from a plane crash in which he was involved and having lost his own adult child) that cause him to appreciate the plight of the mentally ill and to be equipped to do a thorough job as sheriff in the first place.
Hammond, among other things, was a detention officer, intake officer, supervisor and legal services officer for the Hamilton County Juvenile Court, campaign manager and then chief deputy for former Sheriff H.Q. Evatt, and later a trainer of police forces in the Middle East.
He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice, is a graduate of the Chattanooga Police Academy and attended the Secret Service Diplomatic Protection School.
Hamilton County residents should appreciate the more than 50 years Hammond has put into various law enforcement positions and be grateful he will be able to move the department even further forward before his retirement.