Two retire from Hartselle PD
After more than 50 years of combined service, lieutenants Linda Fox and Patrick Griffith are stepping away from their law enforcement careers at the Hartselle Police Department.
Mayor Randy Garrison and Lt. Linda Fox. Photo courtesy of the City of Hartselle.
Mayor Randy Garrison and Lt. Patrick Griffith. Photo courtesy of the City of Hartselle.
Fox’s journey into law enforcement began with a childhood dream inspired by her father, a Birmingham police officer for 21 years. Her path took her through the ranks, starting as a reserve officer with the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force before she was on the Morgan County Drug Task Force, which in turn led her to Hartselle PD.
One of her proudest achievements was the creation of a statewide conference for women in law enforcement. The Alabama Women in Law Enforcement (AWILE) conference aims to provide support and mentorship for women in a traditionally male-dominated profession.
“I felt like women needed to support each other to make us better officers,” Fox said, emphasizing that the goal was not to set women apart but to elevate the entire profession.
Throughout her career, Fox has faced her share of challenges, particularly in handling calls involving children.
“When it was the parents in a divorce situation, and they couldn’t get along well enough to see what their conflicts were doing to their children – those were the worst calls,” Fox said.
Fox also witnessed firsthand the changing dynamics in law enforcement over the years.
“When I first started, there was a lot more respect for officers,” she notes. “That respect has eroded somewhat, and it’s been difficult to watch. My advice to today’s officers is simple: show empathy and understanding in every situation. Treat everyone with respect and fairness, no matter the circumstance,” she said.
Throughout her career, Fox has been deeply influenced by the leaders she worked alongside, including former chiefs Ferrel Vest, Ron Merkh, Ron Puckett and current chief Justin Barley. Each of them taught her valuable lessons in leadership, ethics and community service.
Fox’s retirement marks the end of a chapter, but it doesn’t mean she plans to fade from the community. “I’m looking forward to being a regular person again,” she said. “I won’t be seeing people at their worst moments anymore.” She also plans to remain involved in Hartselle by joining civic groups and volunteering her time to give back to the community she served for so long.
Looking ahead, Fox is excited to spend more time with her family, especially her grandchild, and to explore her passion for travel. “I can’t wait to travel more and just enjoy life,” she added.
As she leaves the force, Fox hopes her legacy will be one of care and dedication to the city she served. “Maybe I helped someone,” she reflects. “Maybe they could see how much I cared about the city and the community.”
Griffith will officially retire Jan. 1, 2025, after 28 years on the force.
The army veteran joined the Hartselle Police Department on Dec. 6, 1998 from a four-year stint in Opelika. The transition into law enforcement was seamless, Griffith said, and he rose through the ranks quickly, serving his entire career in the patrol division.
Griffith said he hopes his legacy with the Hartselle Police Department is in how he impacted others in the department and trained younger officers.
“I was a field training officer for quite a while. I’m probably most proud of being able pass on good, solid police work to people who have never done it before,” he said. “I’ve tried to do right by everyone who’s worked for me.”
His nearly three decades on the force has come with its fair share of challenges – some of which he endured in the past five years.
“You pay the price,” he said. “When I got into law enforcement the mentality was ‘suck it up – deal with it’ and then I became guilty of passing that on, but I’ve tried the last few years to undo some of that.”
Griffith said learning to communicate with those he supervises, while teaching them the right way to communicate with the public has been his biggest challenge.
Both Fox and Griffith said the community is largely to thank for their success while patrolling the streets of Hartselle.
As she looks back on her time with the department, Fox says one of the most rewarding aspects has been watching people recover from their struggles.
“I’ve seen people go from the brink of despair to becoming healthy, happy citizens,” she says. “To have someone I arrested or worked with come up to me years later, introduce me to their children and say I helped them—that’s the most rewarding feeling.”
Griffith added community support and appreciation is something that sets Hartselle apart from many other places.
“This community makes it easier to have a work/life balance. We have crime, but it’s not back-to-back where you don’t get a break. It’s easier for a police officer to have a good life at home.”
In his retirement, Griffith said he’s looking to slow down and find peace.
At 52, he said he plans to complete his wife’s ‘honey-do list’ and spend time with family.
“I’m not going to make any plans right now,” he said. “I’m not going to tie myself down.”
Police chief Justin Barley, who will also retire in January, said both Fox and Griffith had exceptional careers at the Hartselle Police Department.
“I have had the privilege of working alongside them throughout my own (career.) I know firsthand the dedication, integrity and professionalism they brought to our department every day, and they will be deeply missed,” Barley said. “Like all great leaders, however, they have prepared their successors well, ensuring that their legacy of service continues. We wish them both the very best as they embark on this well-deserved next chapter.”
