Mike Granthum knew he wanted to be in law enforcement after a school field trip in junior high.

“The reason why I chose law enforcement is because when I was in junior high school they took us on a field trip to a jail and I saw them on that side, and I knew I wanted to be on this side,” Granthum said.

Granthum has served at a few different law enforcement agencies in the state and is currently the captain of investigations at the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department.

He started in law enforcement in 1994 with the State of Alabama Department of Corrections, worked with the Montgomery Police Force for a few years before moving to Selma to work with Selma Police Department. After serving there, Granthum joined the Sheriff’s Department in 2001.

“I’ve always wanted to be in law enforcement, it’s all I’ve ever done,” Granthum said.  “I enjoy it, and I think the best part of law enforcement is when you’re able to help someone. We never get into for the money, … it’s just an inner feeling you get when you do it.”

Granthum graduated high school in Montgomery before attending Columbian Southern University. In 2011, he also graduated from the FBI National Academy.

Granthum is married to Kathryn and they have two children, Walter and Payten Ellen.

Like many others, Granthum said spending so much time with the guys he works with leads to life long friendships, and he considers many of them like part of his own family.

“I’m just thankful to be in Selma and I’m thankful for who I work with,” he said. “It’s like a family here. They guys genially care about each other. It’s the best place I have ever worked.”

Granthum said serving the community is his number one priority, and he is thankful that the men that serve with him are willing to go above and beyond.

“To have good first responders in a community is essential,” Granthum said. “Our patrol guys make us look good. I will compare them to anybody in the state.”