Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

In a community faced with numerous challenges, Sheriff Mike Granthum stands out as a beacon of hope and support for the people of Selma and Dallas County.

“Times are hard right now for a lot of people, and we just want to do as much as we can, even if it’s just giving someone a ride somewhere or a hug,” Granthum said. “Not everybody has somebody you know?”. 

Granthum, currently in his second term, boasts an impressive 34-year career in law enforcement.

Born and raised in Montgomery, Granthum attended college in California before graduating from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Academy in 2011. Although he is not a native of Selma, after living in the city for over 25 years, he proudly calls it home.

One of the Sheriff’s most notable achievements is fostering a strong collaboration between city and county departments. Granthum said that in the past the entities worked independently of each other, but now collaborate in a helpful and effective manner.

“Not all departments work well together but I couldn’t ask for a better relationship,” Granthum said. “City departments have some resources that we don’t, and we have some that they don’t, and we work hand in hand. I think that’s one of the biggest things that I’ve been able to bring, our amazing partnerships.”

Granthum says that he enjoys hunting and has a passion for classic cars but that with his schedule, he doesn’t have much down time. He looks forward to having more time to devote to such but said that retiring is not yet on the horizon. “If you go into law enforcement for the money, you picked the wrong job,” Granthum said. “Selma’s given me so much, I just want to give back, you know? I love these people.”

Chief John Hatfield, a longtime colleague, echoes Grantham’s commitment to the community, citing the Sheriff’s active role on the board at the SABRA Sanctuary and his continuous volunteer work. From delivering Thanksgiving meals to those in need to participating in community toy drives, Hatfield notes that Granthum consistently goes above and beyond.

“In my opinion, he is the best Sheriff that this county has ever had,” Hatfield said. “He’s very involved in the community he serves.” 

Chief Hatfield also credits Granthum for modernizing the Sheriff’s Department. Under Granthum’s leadership, the department now boasts state-of-the-art technology, with computers and radar in every car, bringing it to par with much larger departments.

“There’s just not enough good things to say about him,” Hatfield said. “He’s compassionate. He loves people and he loves his job.”