DONALD VALENZA
HOUSTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
‘SHERIFF
Born in New Orleans Louisiana in 1954
Began law enforcement career October, 1979
Worked for four Sheriff’s A.B. Clark, Lamar Hadden, Lamar Glover, and Andy Hughes
October 1, 1979 hired as Jailer/ Correction Officer
April 2, 1980 Graduated Southeast Alabama Police Academy
April 2, 1980 Assigned Deputy Sheriff Patrol Division
January 16, 1984 Promoted to Criminal Investigation Division
February 1989 Assigned to Narcotics Division
January 14, 1991 Promoted to Sergeant Investigator Criminal Investigation Division and Training
Officer
November 8, 1999 Promoted to Lieutenant Commander Criminal Investigations Division
January 16, 2007 Promoted to Chief Deputy
‘August 18, 2014 Appointed Sheriff by Gov. Robert Bentley
November 4, 2014 Elected Sheriff Houston County Alabama
Achievements:
1980 Selected to HCSO first Special Response Team — Served active for 27 years.
1996 — Present, Selected to the State Child Death Review Team for Houston County.
1998 — Houston County SO first deputy to attend the FBI National Academy.
2011-2012 — Elected FBINA Alabama Chapter President.
2016 ~ Selected by Alabama Sheriff's Association as State Domestic Violence Board Member.
Longest serving deputy in Houston County history 39" year
Longest serving deputy in Criminal Investigations 23 years
Longest serving deputy on SRT 27 years
Worked the most Homicides in Houston County history over 50+
Special Assignments:
S.W.AT. / SRT 1980 — Present
1984 - 1995 Team Leader
1995 - 2007 Team Commander
2007 — Present Administration Commander
1996 — Present selected to the States Child Death Review Team for Houston County
Specialize Training:
1988 NRA Police Firearms instructor School
1988 NRA Rifle Instructor School
1996 FBI Firearms Instructor School1996 FBI Post Bomb Blast School
11998 Attended the FBI National Academy Quantico, VA
1998 FBI Managing Death Scenes Class
1998 FBI Sub-Machine Gun Instructor School
1998 FBI Interview & Interrogation Class
During the course of my career attended multiple Homicide & Serial Homicide Investigation
Schools which are documented with in this resume
Awards:
1985 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Dothan Optimist Club
1993 Outstanding Training Officer Houston County Sheriff’s Reserves
1997 American Police hall of Fame Achievement Award “Thrill To Kill” Homicide
2000 Deputy Sheriff of the Year Dothan Elk’s Lodge 1887
2005-2006 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year 20" Judicial District Attorney's office
2007 Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer Year V.O.C.A.L.
2008 Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year V.0.C.A.L.
2009 Miriam Shehane Law Enforcement Officer of the Year V.O.C.A.L.
2010 V.0.C.A.L, Southern Region
2014-2015 V.0.C.A.L. Award Southern Region
24 Letters of Accommodations
Accomplishments: as Sheriff
1. New Radio System (7) tower sites, Tri-band radio system UHF