David (Blake) Turman has announced his candidacy for Covington County sheriff in 2018.

“Covington County needs a full time sheriff willing to put in the extra time to ensure that the citizens of this great county can live without fear from the criminal element as well as have safer roadway,” Turman said. “As sheriff, I will live up to my motto ‘Service, protection, and accountability.’

“We need a sheriff that is approachable and reachable, One that works for the citizens of Covington County, and will hold himself and his department accountable for their actions, both good and bad,” he said. “I will work with all departments within this county and state to ensure that our tax dollars are well used for the purpose of the law enforcement and service to our citizens.

“I will also ensure that we have the best officers to protect our youth within our schools,” he said. “I will bring a level of professionalism to the Covington County Sherriff’s Department that will make citizens and employees proud to be a part of. “

Turman began his career as an Alabama State Trooper in 1996. Since then he has worked as a trooper and supervisor, including time as traffic homicide investigator, special operations squad leader, Honor Guard member, motorcycle scout unit trooper, immigrations and customs officer, field training officer, public information officer, and traffic crash reconstruction officer. He has been responsible for managing overtime grants and schedules, personal issues, crime scene management and processing, and accountability for personnel and equipment.

He has received training in the following areas; Intermediate Incident Command System, Dynamics of Supervision (State of Alabama), Street Talk Course (Montgomery Command and Staff College), Protective measures (SWAPA), Motivational Leadership (Montgomery Command and Staff College), Critical Thinking and Reasoning (Montgomery Command and Staff College), Interview and Interrogation Course, Background Investigations (State of Alabama), Criminal Investigations (State of Alabama), First Line Supervisor Course (State of Alabama), Public Information Officer Course (State of Alabama), Incident Command System Course (Dept. of Homeland Security), Initial Action Course (Dept of Homeland Security), National Incident Command Course (Dept of Homeland Security), National Response Plan Course (Dept of Homeland Security), Performance Appraisal Course (Dept of Homeland Security), Field Training Officer Course (State of Alabama), Traffic Homicide Course (State of Alabama), Traffic Reconstruction Course (IPTM), Recruiting Officer Course (State of Alabama), Police Motorcycle Course (State of Alabama), Spanish Course (state of Alabama), Desert Snow Criminal Interdiction Course, SFST Instructor Course (State of Alabama), and Advanced Roadside Impairment Course.

Turman has been an officer for more than 20 years. During this time he has received numerous awards for his work ethic and he has received meritorious service medal. He is on the Alabama State Trooper Association’s board of directors, and has been for more than 10 years. During his tenure on the board, many laws were introduced and passed to ensure public safety.

He is a 1991 graduate of Opp High School and served in the U.S. Army as a soldier and supervisor in the 327th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division.

Turman and his wife, Kimberly Kelly Turman of Andalusia, have three daughters, Kelsi, Katelyn, and Kalli Grace. He and his family are members of Hopewell Baptist Church and are active in the youth department.

Turman’s parents are David and Sheila Gooden Turman of Opp. His grandparents are Mrs. Merl Turman Pearson, and the late Shirley C. Turman, as well as the late Byron and Sara Gooden of Opp.

He is seeking office as Republican. The primary is set for June.